Paul Merson names £55m midfielder who can 'comfortably' end Liverpool title hopes

Paul Merson is backing Manchester City to edge Liverpool in the Premier League title race because of one player at Pep Guardiola's disposal.

Former Arsenal star Merson believes that midfielder Kevin de Bruyne - a £55m signing from Wolfsburg in 2015 - will be the difference between the two sides, ending The Reds' hope of landing a record-equalling 20th top flight league title this season.

Defending champions City are currently at the summit, just one point ahead of Liverpool with both sides having nine games left to play, including against each other on April 10. And it's here that Merson believes that the Sky Blues will run away with it.

Writing for the Daily Star, he said: “Manchester City win the league by double digits if they beat Liverpool at the Etihad – but it all depends on one player. If midfielder Kevin De Bruyne plays well until the end of the season I think City win it comfortably because the Belgium international just knits everything together. He makes everybody in that City side play in my opinion. I think Pep Guardiola has a big role to play too with the team he picks.

Blood Red: Jurgen Klopp On Impact Trent Alexander-Arnold Injury Will Have

Blood Red: Dietmar Hamann makes huge Liverpool claim after Arsenal win

Blood Red: Jurgen Klopp Confirms Trent Alexander-Arnold Hamstring Injury

Blood Red: Sir Kenny Dalglish Mural Unveiled On Oakfield Road

Blood Red: Liverpool Champions League Quarter-Final & Semi-Final Opponents Confirmed

Blood Red: Preview | Nottingham Forest v Liverpool | FA Cup Quarter Final

“I just still see City winning the championship. They are battering teams. It’s not like they are playing and not looking like scoring in a month of Sundays. “They are absolutely dominating teams, camped out