Liverpool hosts bitter rivals Manchester United on Sunday, with both sides enduring underwhelming seasons to date and seeing sides like Leicester City and West Ham bypass them up the table.
Outside90 combines the two of the biggest adversaries in English football to find our best Liverpool/Manchester United XI – with a retrospective side being named soon after the final whistle.
Did we miss anyone?
David De Gea – Goalkeeper – Manchester United
One of the very few shining lights for the Red Devils over the past 18-months, David De Gea. Truly a world-class goal-keeper and given Real Madrid’s transfer ban, Manchester United fans will be breathing a collective sigh of relief.
Nathaniel Clyne – Right-back – Liverpool
Been solid for the Reds this season since crossing from Southampton and is the clear best-choice at right-back from both sides, with Man United clearly struggling in the full-back department. Very good defensively and is easily the quickest player at the league.
Chris Smalling – Centre-back – Manchester United
Far and away United’s best player this season and perhaps one of the few players, along with David De Gea, to have improved under Louis Van Gaal’s tenure. A staple in the side and in the English national team, also likely to be Manchester United’s next captain.
Mamadou Sakho – Centre-back – Liverpool
He may look uncanny, but contrary to popular opinion, Sakho has one of the best passing completion rates in the league. To dispel the myth, his passing completion rate is continually over 90% which is highly commendable for a centre-half. And his defending ain’t too shabby either.
Alberto Moreno – Centre-back – Liverpool
Risky choice and if it was not for Luke Shaw’s injury he probably wouldn’t be in this team, but Alberto Moreno is the selection at left-back. Has been OK this season and seems to have improved, but still is lacking that balance between attack and defence. Potential to work with though for Klopp.
Jordan Henderson – Defensive-midfield – Liverpool
A rock in the Liverpool midfield and the club captain. Though quite not as creative as Steven Gerrard, Henderson is filling the void left by the club legend and if it weren’t for his injuries this season, the club would be higher up the table.
Emre Can – Defensive-midfield – Liverpool
The young German has come on in leaps and bounds under Klopp’s tenure and is finally being played in his natural position in midfield. Still vulnerable to the occasional brain-fade, but at 22 years of age, 1.82m and 84kg, Can has all the physical attributes to become an explosive Premier League midfielder.
Phillipe Coutinho – Attacking-midfield – Liverpool
The little gem in the Reds attack, Philippe Coutinho perhaps hasn’t found the same consistency as last season, but he is easily the best attacking midfielder between the two sides. Loves to turn it on in the big games, namely Manchester City and Chelsea this season, and is just a touch of maturity away from becoming one of the best players in the Premier League.
Ander Herrera – Attacking-midfield – Manchester United
Perhaps United’s most talented midfielder who for some reason, has struggled to for a starting berth in matches this season. When he is in the team, the Red Devils are a much slicker unit, with the Spaniard especially prolific in an advanced role behind the strikers.
Anthony Martial – Striker – Manchester United
United’s prized French asset started his career at Old Trafford with a bang, scoring against Liverpool in his debut. Since that initial burst, the 20-year-old has faded slightly but has all the characteristics to become one of the finest strikers in Europe. When you’re compared to compatriot Thierry Henry, you know you’re special.
Wayne Rooney – Striker – Manchester United
Our last selection in this combined XI and perhaps the most controversial selection. Just five goals in the Premier League this season (with three of them coming in the past fortnight), Rooney has been a shadow of the player he once was. However, we believe he has enough runs on the board by-pass all the other options and be included in this team. Christian Benteke is Liverpool’s leading scorer this season with six but he has been underwhelming, Daniel Sturridge can hardly get on the pitch, Danny Ings is injured, Divock Origi raw and United, well there are no other options.
One stat not working in Rooney’s favour however is his record at Anfield. 11 matches, one goal…
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