Alan Shearer Exclusive: Man City v Liverpool is a huge game in context of title race

• Liverpool boss justified for resting players in EFL Cup

• Man City v Liverpool is a huge game in the title race

• Arsenal's incredible defence set to break Premier League reocrds

• City playing to Haaland's strengths as he looks set to break 100-goal record

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Slot's decision to rest players was justified after two big wins

It was a big call to rest players in the League Cup against Crystal Palace, but it was done because Arne Slot felt he needed to give the players a rest and needed a reaction against Aston Villa and Real Madrid. He got two wins from those games, so it was justified. I'm sure they'd have liked to still be in the competition, but the main aim is the Premier League and Champions League.

It wasn't brilliant against Aston Villa, but it was certainly an improvement and enough to take the three points which lead into the Real Madrid game. It was a brilliant atmosphere at Anfield on Tuesday evening. I was lucky enough to be there doing the co-commentary, and you just got the feeling straight away that Liverpool were going to be up for it. 

Within the first minute or two, their energy, aggression and pressing was really good. Without a shadow of doubt, it was Liverpool's best performance of the season. Every player was at it - even Florian Wirtz on the left which was a big call from Slot to leave Gakpo out. 

There were several contenders for man of the match but for me, Conor Bradley was absolutely outstanding. When you consider who he was up against, he never gave Vinicius Junior a kick. Not only did he defend really well, he attacked well. Vinicius didn't have any answers - he was outstanding.

Man City v Liverpool is a huge game in context of the title race

Man City are showing some form and obviously Erling Haaland is having an incredible season. Phil Foden looks back to his very best getting amongst the goals again. Because of Liverpool's last two performances, this game is now a tough one to call. It could really go either way and should be a cracking game.

It's a huge game for the title race. I guess Arsenal will be wanting a draw if they can pick up three points against Sunderland. It's a big weekend and it's one that both Man City and Liverpool are looking at and thinking that they can't afford to lose. That's what the mentality will be going into the game.

Arsenal set to break Premier League goals conceded record

Yes, they will definitely break the record for the least goals conceded in a Premier League season. It's a record for them to go for. I looked at that Chelsea team - who conceded just 15 in the 2004-05 season - and thought it'd never be beaten because it was and is a remarkable achievement, but I get the togetherness at Arsenal and it actually means so much to them when they keep a clean sheet. You can tell it means as much as scoring a goal to the players. That's a great trait to have.

I didn't ever think that Chelsea's record would be matched, but this Arsenal team has a chance because of how mean they are at the back. 

Man City playing to Haaland's strengths will help him break record

At the time, I wasn't aware it was going to be a record reaching 100 goals in the Premier League. It was just good to get to 100 goals. Correct me if I'm wrong but I think it was against Tottenham at Ewood Park. I wasn't aware it was going to be spoken about so much. 

I think when someone comes in and scores the amount of goals that Erling Haaland has and is, it just makes him look like such a good player. I love his desire to score. He's different because he's not bothered if he only has one touch, as long as it's a goal. Whereas so many other forwards want to be involved in the game and have touches of the ball. 

I also think this season, certainly more than I've ever seen it, Man City are playing to Haaland a lot quicker. Balls are going to him quicker, crosses are coming into the box quicker for him and he's getting the benefit and looking like an amazing centre-forward for that. I've got a huge respect for him.

Haaland has competition when it comes to being best in the world

Is Erling Haaland the best player in the world right now? Well that's difficult when you've got Kylian Mbappe with his record, Harry Kane with his. They're three very different strikers but three who are brilliant at the most important thing which is putting the ball in the back of the net.

It's a really difficult one. I guess Haaland has this no-nonsense, not really bothered about anything else, whereas Mbappe can go past players like Haaland can't - Harry Kane can drop deep and play passes which Erling doesn't want to do.

They're three very different players but in terms of mentality just for goals, I think Erling is something different.

Man City would not be in the title race if they lost Haaland

Everyone has an important link in the team. If Arsenal lost Gabriel or Saliba, might it be different? If Liverpool lost Salah over the years? Erling is just as important to Man City. 

Quite simply, Man City can't afford to lose Haaland and they wouldn't be in the title race if they lost him. He's a major part of what they do and if there's one area they need to improve, it's that area and defensively.

Woltemade is not suited to Newcastle's pressing style

Newcastle's performance against West Ham was as poor as I've seen under Eddie Howe in a long time. It was a lazy performance but I guess if there's one thing you need it's a game straight after when you've been that poor. We've all had poor games, and you do get the opportunity to bounce back with a midweek game and Newcastle have done that.

They now have to get their away form sorted because what's been lacking is energy away from home. I know it's very different to what they've had in past seasons because of their pressing and Nick Woltemade can't quite do that because he hasn't got the energy of a forward like Isak or Wissa.

A lot of his game is towards the ball which is really impressive, but he hasn't quite got the energy to press in the way Newcastle want, particularly away from home. You often get driven by your fans while at home but away you have to find something different. That's where Newcastle have struggled. They have to find the energy and pressing away from home like they do at St James' Park. 

Newcastle's away form needs to change

It's a massive game for Newcastle against Brentford . Going into the international break, Newcastle do not want to find themselves lingering in the bottom five or six. They need to start climbing the table but for them to do that, they need to change their away form and this will be a huge test for them.

Brentford will be physical, brilliant from set-pieces and so they'll have to defend really, really well. They'll have to do what Crystal Palace did last weekend and try to flip it and use their set-pieces like they did against Bilbao. It's a big game because it could be a long two weeks for them and Eddie Howe.

Amazing experience to receive an honour and it was long overdue for Sir David Beckham

It was about time David Beckham got his Knighthood, he's been a great ambassador for football. He obviously does a huge amount of charity work as well and just listening to him afterwards talking to the media, you can see how much it meant to him, how proud he was and how proud all his family were. Big congratulations to him and his family - it's thoroughly deserved. 

I was lucky enough to play with him for England in 1998 and that night against Argentina was one of the major talking points at that World Cup. I played with him again at Euro 2000 and he put a great ball in for me when I scored against Germany. We weren't the greatest team in 2000 but in '98 we went in thinking we could win it. It was an unbelievable cross from Beckham - a forwards dream. He had a brilliant technique and was fantastic.

It's an amazing experience to receive an honour. I went to Buckingham Palace on both occasions, and it was an amazing day. So proud for yourself and your family. It's all the commitment that you've been through the years and all the hard work that you've put in. It's pretty surreal.

Who would've thought of Sir Gareth Southgate after what he endured after Euro 96 when he missed that penalty. He's used that as a great tool and strength moving forward. Sir David Beckham and Sir Gareth Southgate. It's amazing and congratulations to them both.

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Now read Alan Shearer's Premier League predictions for Matchday 11

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