‘They are not going to win it with two midfielders in defence’: Paul Merson believes Man City will struggle to win Champions League and backs Liverpool to come close to glory again
- Paul Merson had his say on which sides will be competing for Champions League
- He thinks Manchester City badly need Aymeric Laporte back in defence
- Pundit thinks top sides in Europe will pick City apart with midfielders at the back
Manchester City will not win the Champions League with two midfielders playing at the back, according to Paul Merson.
Pep Guardiola has been deploying Rodri and Fernandinho at centre-back due to his current injury crisis at the back.
Aymeric Laporte is out with a cruciate ligament injury and not expected back until next year.
Paul Merson does not think Pep Guardiola’s side can win with their current set-up
Merson thinks City badly need him back and told Sky Sports: ‘City are a very good team, but they are not going to win the Champions League, playing against the best teams in Europe, with two holding midfielders in defence.
‘They need Aymeric Laporte back. I thought Juventus would be one of the dangers, but I watched them the other night and they are not going to win it.’
Fernandinho (left) and Rodri (right) have been deployed as makeshift centre-backs
He went on to make further predictions: ‘When Bayern Munich rinsed Tottenham the other week, I didn’t think they were the team to beat. I didn’t think that at all if I’m being honest. I thought they looked quite open.
‘I still think Liverpool are the team to beat. They lost in the final two seasons ago and then won it last season. Who’s got better form than that?
‘They hardly ever lose at home, if ever. No one wants to go and play at Anfield. I still think Liverpool will be there or thereabouts come the end of the competition.’