Manchester United take on Liverpool at Old Trafford on Sunday. Ahead of the game, we look at who would make the combined 11 of both the clubs.
GOALKEEPER
Alisson
With De Gea ruled out and Alisson set to make his first appearance since suffering an injury in the Premier League opening game against Norwich, there was only one winner. Adrian has done well and will feel unlucky to miss out but Alisson brings a certain calmness to the Liverpool defense that has been missing this season for Liverpool.
RIGHT BACK
Trent Alexander Arnold
Aaron Wan Bissaka has impressed for Manchester United after his big-money move from Crystal Palace in the summer but his England colleague is taking his performances to the next level.
Only one defender (Patrick Van Aanholt) and four midfielders (Wilfred Ndidi, Oriel Romeu, Declan Rice, and João Moutinho) have won more tackles than him in the Premier League this season. Alexander-Arnold also has a range of passing off either foot that enables him to prise open defenses from all angles
CENTRE-BACKS
Harry Maguire
Joel Matip who has done well for Liverpool this season would be the other contender but Harry Maguire simply has to be in any combined eleven after signing for United in the summer for a world-record fee for a defender. The 26-year-old has looked assured in the United defense despite their struggles this season under Ole Gunnar Solskajer.
Virgil Van Dijk
Van Dijk completes what would be a center-back partnership worth a staggering £155 million. The UEFA Player of the Year has picked up from where he left off last season and the last near-two years since he signed from Southampton, in fact.
Virgil van Dijk’s aerial ability was most noticeable against Burnley, at Turf Moor, where Sean Dyche’s side peppered the Liverpool defense with direct balls.
LEFT BACK
Andy Robertson
Van Dijk’s team-mate to his left, Andy Robertson, has been just as integral to Liverpool’s fast start this season.
The Scotland captain has two assists so far this campaign, the same amount at this stage last season when he recorded an incredible 11.
It’s his defensive stability which makes him so reliable for the Reds, his block to deny Sheffield United taking the lead in a tight win at Bramall Lane is fresh in the memory. With Luke Shaw injured the only other option is the much-derided Manchester United captain Ashley Young.
MIDFIELD
Fabinho
Jamie Carragher argued that Fabinho is the best defensive midfielder in the league and it’s hard to dispute that claim at the moment.
The former Monaco man has adapted to Jurgen Klopp’s pressing demands – something which went against him in the first half of last season when the Liverpool boss was reluctant to pick him.
Jordan Henderson
The Liverpool captain has continued where he left from last season and has been impressive for Liverpool at the base of their midfield. Henderson may not be the silky midfielder that we love watching but is very effective when it comes to winning the ball and fouling the opponent when in dangerous positions. cott McTominay has shown a lot of heart in his performances for United this season but is a fairly limited player
Gini Wijnaldum
The 28-year-old is still primarily a midfielder, but he’s tasked with fulfilling alternative roles for club and country in terms of what he’s responsible for on the pitch. At Anfield, he’s predominantly tasked with a role that is based on control. Wijanaldum’s engine allows the players further forward to express themselves. The Dutch international is one of the most underrated players in the league but has been adding goals to his game this season
FORWARDS
Sadio Mane
Liverpool wide-forward Sadio Mane has single-handedly been tearing teams apart.
Just when the Reds looked like they were struggling against Southampton, Newcastle, and Leicester,the Senegalese forward put the game to bed.
A couple of missed chances against Sheffield United aside, he has looked more composed this season which will worry opposition defenses up and down the country.
Roberto Firmino
Roberto Firmino finally seems to be earning the plaudits he has deserved for years, with the wider footballing public acknowledging his brilliance. Firmino has been long seen by football experts as the glue that holds the Liverpool front three together but his performances were not always recognized by fans
Marcus Rashford
With Salah still,a doubt for Sunday’s clash Marcus Rashford makes the combined eleven. Rashford showed what he is capable of if played in the right system this week when he scored well-taken goal for England against Bulgaria. The 21-year-old has struggled this season but has lacked the creativity and service upfront. There is a sense that Rashford would flourish in Klopp’s Liverpool side.
