Liverpool vs AS Roma: Combined XI

As the Champions League resumes for its semi-finals, Liverpool and AS Roma battle it out in what's clearly a match-up of two underdogs. The teams have made it thus far surpassing all the odds, but won't rest on their laurels.

There's more history to be made, and neither of them would be pulling any punches in the quest.

Even if we have a European classic in the other fixture, this one too promises to be a thriller. Liverpool's blistering attack, Roma's indomitable spirit, Mohammed Salah's much-anticipated reunion et al, would all have a say in the final outcome of the game.

Not to mention the array of talented footballers in both camps, that's set to produce intriguing key battles too.

But how would they look when clubbed together in one team-sheet? Let's have a look. The team featuring the combined best XI of Liverpool and AS Roma with a 4-3-3 formation.

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Goalkeeper: Alisson Becker

Becker will have a busy day against Liverpool

The AS Roma shot-stopper has been a revelation this season, starting every league and Champions League game and dispatching a string of impressive performances.

Becker has more than just replaced the Juventus-bound Wojciech Szczesny, and his interventions would be crucial against a blistering Liverpool side.

The Brazilian has registered 21 saves in Europe so far, the joint-highest whilst also maintaining five clean-sheets, the second most.

Becker is seen to command his box with authority and never shies away from throwing himself on the line whenever the need be.

His distribution skills too, deserve a mention - his 80% in Serie A isn't matched by any goalkeeper.

Among the likes of Edin Dzeko, Daniel de Rossi and the likes, he's often the unsung hero in the team. But his importance to their fortunes can never be overstated.

Arnold is one the best young talents emerging from Liverpool's ranks

Right-back: Trent Alexander-Arnold

What a change a player could undergo in a span of few months! The Reds youngster was merely a fringe player last year.

But this term, he's giving the likes of Manchester City a good run for their money. It has been a fine return to fettle after a lengthy lay-off with injuries at the start, and he's sure to feature again in the line-up against Roma.

At only 19, he has the confidence and the temperament that belies his age and as witnessed in the quarter-finals, can cause troubles to even the best of teams with his darting runs.

One of Roma's weakest links is the left-back, and Arnold could more than exploit it to their advantage.

Centre-back: Kostas Manolas

The man who sounded Barcelona's death knell with a late strike, Manolas has grown into such a key figure at the heart of the Roman backline.

Rough and rugged, his dominance on the ball stretches aerially too, where he's enjoyed 74% success rate this season in Serie A.

The Greek defender times his tackles to perfection and unrelenting when it comes to man-marking.

Just ask Lionel Messi. He's a big threat from the set-pieces too, and Roma would be looking up to him whenever they need a score from one.

Centre-back: Virgil Van Dijk

He may have joined only in January, but the Dutch sensation has already become an anchorman at the back.

Van Dijk has acclimatised to Liverpool's set-up like a fish to water and his recent performances show why Liverpool pursued him for so long.

The 26-year old's 89% pass accuracy is unmatched by anyone in the team. His tall, statuesque stature also given the aerial advantage.

Van Dijk is an excellent reader of the ball, and with 89% passing accuracy, he's the key to building from the back.

Left-back: Andrew Robertson

Roped in as merely a back-up to the injured Alberto Moreno, the 24-year old has made the left-back spot his own. He has impressed the Kop so much, he's deemed as their very own Maldini!

Robertson is a revelation down that flank, bombing forward with panache and laying off lethal crosses into the box with which he's assisted four times this season.

He brings defensive stability whilst also a great distributor of the ball with 87% passing accuracy.

Liverpool's left-back slot was a thing of mystery for many years. But in Robertson, they may have found the panacea to all their problems in that position.

AS Roma's captain fantastic will need to reproduce his Barcelona heroics

Right-midfielder: Alex-Oxlade Chamberlain

Chamberlain has breathed new life into his career at Liverpool. After a slow start, he now finds himself as an instrumental figure in the midfield and the spectacular volley against Manchester City in the quarter-finals was a testament to the confidence he imbues at the moment.

The former Arsenal man is thriving in his role offensive role under Klopp; a role that has seen him create 33 chances in the league and also get involved in the attack more than ever.

Central midfielder: Daniele De Rossi

The Italian veteran continues to go strong even at 34. The way he nonchalantly dispatched that penalty against Barcelona shows he hasn't lost the touch.

And even if injuries have plagued his season, his performances on the pitch have done little to suggest that.

De Rossi remains a clinical passer of the ball and his experience in the centre of the park is an asset to Roma. His adeptness from the set-pieces is another valuable trait that they thrive on.

De Rossi is a player reborn under Eusebio Di Francesco and has taken the leadership mantle with aplomb.

The Giallorossis once again need their skipper to shine like he did on that historic night that secured a top-four spot.

Left-midfielder: James Milner

He may not have been at his best in the Premier League, but James Milner brings his A-1 game to the fore under the Champions League night lights.

For everything good that has happened to Liverpool, Milner finds himself at the heart of it; ably pulling the strings with his all-round performances.

He has created 15 chances in eight appearances, just three behind Salah who has played two games more, whilst assisting as many as seven goals - the highest this season by a margin. Milner also boasts an average of 75% shot accuracy in those games.

While the likes of Salah, Firmino et al take the plaudits for their supreme scoring prowess, it is Milner who orchestrates it all from behind. He's the creative engine that keeps Liverpool ticking.

Salah is Liverpool's single biggest threat

Right-wing: Mohammed Salah

Do I even need to say anything? Such has been Salah's form that, forget winning the PFA Player of the award, he's been hailed as the best player after the extra-terrestrial duo of you-know-who.

A total of 41 goals in all competitions this season is bettered only by Cristiano Ronaldo. So this has to be some stat.

Naturally, Salah would once again be the attacking outlet for Liverpool and also their best chance of scoring.

As the Reds are at home for the first-leg, they need plenty of them - like they did against City - and Salah's blazing form guarantees a couple more.

Forget Messi, Salah is the true test of Roma's defence. Pass, and they have one foot in the finals.

Left-wing: Roberto Firmino

This might be a bit odd, but both Firmino and Dzeko have been terrific in the attack for their respective sides. Ostracising anyone of them wouldn't be fair. Hence the tweak here.

The Brazilian may have eclipsed a little due to Salah's stellar run robbing all the limelight, but he too has been going about his duties with elan.

He has 15 strikes in the Premier League and another eight in the Champions League, and he's bettered only by Salah in those counts in the team. But, he's the most prolific striker in this competition with those figures.

Firmino will lead the line again, and even if Salah were to be contained, Roma have another big headache to deal with in the shape of this 26-year old.

Striker: Edin Dzeko

While his return of six goals in 10 Champions League games might not seem impressive, but they've come in some really crucial times and against crucial teams.

He scored twice against Chelsea to ignite a comeback after trailing by two goals; scored the deciding goal against Shakhtar in the second-leg; scored at the Camp Nou to allow Roma return with a crucial away goal, before instigating another comeback against Barcelona with the opening strike.

This testifies Dzeko's importance to Roma's fortunes in Europe this season. He's once again their main target man against Liverpool.

Some, or maybe a significant, part of Roma's progress to the finals will rely on how clinically he converts his chances.