Paul Merson and Chris Sutton are among the pundits who expect Liverpool to beat Everton in this week's Merseyside derby at Anfield.

"I expect Everton to make it hard for Liverpool, but I look at them and I don’t see an X-factor that can hurt the hosts at Anfield.

The Gunners could cut the gap at the top to nine points, though, by beating Fulham at the Emirates Stadium later today.

"I don’t want to make it sound like Liverpool are not a good team or that they don’t deserve to win the league but they are not like the best Manchester City side that dominated the league under Pep Guardiola," Merson, writing in his Sportskeeda column, continued.

‘They have a point to prove’ – Paul Merson and Chris Sutton agree on Merseyside derby predictions	Chris Sutton and Paul Merson make exact same Liverpool v Everton prediction	Paul Merson makes clear prediction for Liverpool vs Everton with Pep Guardiola claim

"Liverpool were looking a bit leggy before the international break, so the rest came at the right time for them.

Everton manager David Moyes and Liverpool head coach Arne Slot on the sidelines during this season's first Merseyside derby.

In the game before that, Everton won by two goals to nil in the season when there were no fans inside the stadium.

"They (Liverpool) are going to put Everton under all sorts of pressure, but the Toffees will be well-organized defensively and have an eye on a counter-attack too," Sutton wrote for BBC Sport

"Everton boss Moyes has transformed a team that was lacking belief, and he would love nothing more than to go to Anfield and get something.

"I am expecting a typical derby, in that I would not be surprised if this is another emotional game as well as an explosive one, with maybe a couple of players will lose their heads
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