Alan Shearer has made his prediction for this weekend's big Premier League game between Liverpool and Arsenal, which he believes could have a big impact on the rest of the season

Alan Shearer has backed Liverpool to challenge for the Premier League title if it beats Arsenal on Sunday, although the former striker feels Mikel Arteta’s side could “send a message” at Anfield.

The two sides go head-to-head this weekend, with the Reds’ momentum building under Andoni Iraola after securing five straight wins across all competitions.

Questions are now being asked whether Liverpool could build a title challenge, given many expect current leader Manchester City to be out of the running should it receive a punishment after being found guilty of the financial breaches brought against it by the Premier League.

Iraola’s side will have the chance to narrow the gap to Arsenal to three points with a win on Sunday, with the visitors going into the game off the back of a shock defeat to League Two side Fleetwood in the Carabao Cup.

And Shearer thinks the signs are encouraging for the Reds, telling Betfair: “There are little signs of Liverpool getting into stride.

“I worked their game against Villarreal and, for half-an-hour, they were really poor but after that there was a big improvement. They got a brilliant result against Brighton. Not many people thought they could get that result.

“In midweek, they got through by hook or by crook on penalties against Chelsea in the Carabao Cup. It feels as if there's a little bit of momentum building at Liverpool. The players are buying into Andoni Iraola's ideas and getting results.

“After Arsenal's poor result in the Carabao Cup against Fleetwood, one of the biggest shocks you'll see in that competition, it's tough to predict how they will perform at Anfield on Sunday. They need to bounce back.

“Arsenal got a good result last weekend against Everton but the criticism after Tuesday was warranted. Mikel Arteta put a different team out, but still you're representing Arsenal and it was an embarrassing result. Brilliant for Fleetwood, they deserved it, all beyond penalties.

“Arteta's men now have the chance to bounce back, but I guess the game you wouldn't want, after a humiliation, would be going to Anfield. It's going to be a tough game for them, but Man City lost last week at Aston Villa too, so the title race has opened up a little bit.”

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When it came to his prediction though, the former Newcastle and England striker couldn’t pick a winner - although he feels a victory for either side could prove to be huge.

“I'm going to go a score draw on Sunday,” he said. “Arsenal have a poor recent record at Anfield so it would send a message if they went there and won. But I'm going to go for a score draw.

“If Liverpool win, they are title challengers with a win on Sunday. Whatever happens with Man City, whenever it happens, the team in third position know they are in the race. Sunday is a big opportunity for Liverpool to throw themselves into the title race.”