Manchester United vs Liverpool: Combined XI

One of the biggest fixtures in the English Premier League is going to take place on Sunday. That’s the match between 20-time League champions Manchester United coming up against 18-time League champions Liverpool.

These two are the most successful teams in English football and any time they come up against each other, it sure is a battle. On Sunday, as the teams lock heads again in the league, it’s not going to be any different.

There will be all to play for in terms of prestige and also points. Liverpool will want to win the tie to firmly establish them at the top, while United will want to win to help them keep up in the top four race.

Whatever happens, this match promises to be one of the most exciting games in the season.

As for a combined eleven that puts players from both squads, this is probably going to be the toughest combined eleven. United are currently on a roll and their players are now showing their true potential under Ole Gunnar.

On the other hand, Liverpool has been in great form for a great part of this season and their top performers are certainly performing.

The combined eleven will lineup in a 4-3-3 formation and here’s how the team will look like:

Goalkeeper

There is no doubt that this is going to be probably the toughest choice to make as things stand. At the beginning of the season, it was quite a straight forward choice with Alisson impressing and giving Liverpool stability at the back.

But since the appointment of Ole Gunnar, De Gea has really got back his mojo and is surely a contender for the starting spot. If we are going to go with form and overall ability then, the man who’ll be keeping goal for this team is going to be David De Gea.

The Spaniard is by far the superior talent between the two 'keepers and is even considered as one of the best keepers in the world today. He has it all, he can use the ball well with his feet, has exception reflexes and his handling is top notch.

No disrespect to Alisson, but De Gea pips him in goal for this one. Against any other keeper, he’d be in.

Defence

Coming to the defence of this team, you are also spoiled for choice due to the quality that’s all around. Though this won’t be the toughest to pick, it certainly won’t be easy.

Starting with the right back position, this is between Ashley Young and Alexander-Arnold. While both have been having great seasons this particular season, Young just pips Alexander-Arnold due to his superior experience. We’ve seen it time and again that Alexander-Arnold while being full of potential is still raw and has been caught out a number of times in the past.

The left-back position is the one that will be highly contested as Luke Shaw and Andrew Robertson have been playing quite exceptionally. Both are quick to cover the ground ahead of them without leaving too space for opponents to exploit. But the choice has to be made and Andy Robertson just takes this spot because of the consistency he has shown this season.

The two centre half positions will be occupied by, of course, Virgil Van Dijk and the now exceptional Victor Lindelof. Before Ole Gunnar’s appointment, the two positions would have been occupied by Liverpool players but Lindelof has really shone for United under Solsjkaer.

Midfield

Now starts the hard parts of this combined eleven. If you have watched both teams this season, you’ll realize how hard it is to pick this midfield with the likes of Pogba, Henderson, Matic, Herrera, Wijnaldum, Keita, Milner and even Fabinho contesting for starting for a place.

Starting with the defensive midfield role, the one that will be charged with protecting the back four and passing the ball from deep. The role goes to none other than Fabinho. It initially took him time to settle in the league but he has started to show his talent. So much so that he has even played centre-back and right back as well as his defensive midfield role.

The other two positions will be occupied by Paul Pogba and Georginio Wijnaldum. These two have lots of energy and can get up and down the pitch with ease. And with Wijnaldum in that midfield, it will allow for Paul Pogba to attack as he has been doing so well under Ole Gunnar. They can also provide goals and assists from deep and the forward line won’t be short of service.

Forwards

Industrious Mane has to be in this lineup

With two tridents that are performing quite well, it’s so hard to leave out any player from this lineup. Of course, the first player will be Mohamed Salah who will alternate between being the striker and the right winger.

The left side of the forward line will be a close contested call between Sadio Mane and Anthony Martial but Mane just about takes up the role. Mane has been showing tremendous work-rate and also chips in with goals here and there.

The striker’s role is quite hard as well between Rashford and Firmino, but Marcus Rashford takes up that role. He’s hardworking, can play in the wings if need be and is also proving a deadly finisher of late. He has also added wicked free kicks to his armoury and that makes him a definite starter.

No defence will wish to come up against this forward line as they have it all, creativity, finishing, trickery and work rate. They would be a handful for any team to play against.

Here’s how the team will look like:

De Gea; Young, Lindelof, Van Dijk, Robertson; Fabinho, Pogba, Wijnaldum; Salah, Rashford, Mane

Edited by Umid Kumar Dey