Former Arsenal forward Paul Merson has claimed that Liverpool will emerge as fairly comfortable winners from Sunday's trip to Newcastle United in the Premier League.

Liverpool will enter the match off the back of a 1-1 draw with Russian champions Spartak Moscow in the Champions League on Tuesday night.

While the Reds had a tough game in Moscow, Newcastle have had a free week to prepare as the Magpies look to bounce back from last weekend's 1-0 defeat at Brighton & Hove Albion.

Liverpool again showed their defensive problems in last weekend's 3-2 win at Leicester City, but Merson has backed Jurgen Klopp's side to overcome Newcastle on Sunday afternoon.

Merson told Sky Sports:

"Liverpool could have won 10-1 in the Champions league after the chances they created the other night. With the attacking talent at their disposal they will always create chances and at St James' Park I don't see it being any different.

"Newcastle, backed by their home crowd will also go for it which could play into Jurgen Klopp's hands. I did initially write down 3-0 to Liverpool but I'm going to have to change my mind to 3-1 because I don't trust Liverpool at the back.

"However Liverpool are class going forward and I'd be shocked if Newcastle coped with them."

Newcastle have won three and drawn three of their six Premier League matches this season, with a total of nine points leaving them in 10th position in the table.

Liverpool, meanwhile, are currently fifth in the division on 11 points, and could rise as high as third with a win this weekend depending on other results.