Clash of the titans: Manchester City v Liverpool Combined XI

Liverpool and Manchester City return to Premier League action after their midweek wins in UEFA Champions League. Jurgen Klopp’s men make the trip to the Etihad Stadium to take on Manchester City. The Reds have been on an upward curve this season and enter this game on the back of an eight-match winning streak. Let us check out Zubin’s Manchester City v Liverpool Combined XI.

Manchester City and Liverpool are fighting for the top spot in the Premier League. Going into this game with a solitary point separating them at the top of the table. The rivalry between these two sides has become one of the most exciting world football. The rivalry has become stronger under Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola than ever. Who would you pick in your Manchester City v Liverpool Combined XI?

Liverpool and Manchester City take each other in a crucial Premier League game. What is at stake, you ask? Not much, probably only the Premier League title. All jokes aside, two of world football’s best teams will take each other in what promises to be a pulsating contest. Here is who I believe will be part of the Liverpool and Manchester City combined XI.

Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp have given Premier League fans so much joy over the last few years. They are why both these clubs are pushing each other to near perfection each season. There is no chance to slip up. The two squads are the strongest, if not in England alone, but in the entire world.

Each time they teak each other on, there are more than just three points at stake. The game at the weekend is exactly that. It might still be too early to say, but in my opinion, the winner of that game takes the title home. Keeping that in mind, here is my combined XI between Liverpool and Manchester City.

These choices are based on recent form, team contributions, injury record this season, and versatility of playing multiple positions. Let us not forget that this is an opinion that might not match many others. I trust that’s okay!

Here is why I feel the way I do. Now, it’s obvious that there will be a bias towards Liverpool. There are two major reasons for that. The reasons for my choices in this Manchester City v Liverpool Combined XI are:

1. I am a Liverpool fan – So, yes, bias is going to be evident

2. Liverpool has the better players in most positions.

Goalkeeper – Alisson Becker

In essence, this was a fight that was neck and neck before this season. But as crazy as it sounds, Alisson adds a goal threat with his distribution to either flank. In front of goal, he has a better save success percentage. His sweeper clearances are better, with 21 saves to 13. Also, Alisson is way more disciplined than Ederson, who has accumulated three yellow cards and conceded one penalty. He is also the first choice for representing the national team.

Right Back – Trent Alexander Arnold

Trent Alexander Arnold is the best right-back in the world. Case Closed. There is not much that can be said about including him in any football team. He is Liverpool’s very own version of KbD at right back.

Center Back – Aymeric Laporte

Well, I have gone on and chosen him because his overall ability will complement van Dijk. He makes this Manchester City and Liverpool combined XI only because Ruben Dias is injured currently. Also, we need to make an honorable mention for Joel Matip. He has been immense for Liverpool. But if we look at this position by putting our bias aside, Laporte slots right in.

Center Back – Virgil van Dijk

There’s more to being a great center-back than being tall, strong, and fast. The position requires great positioning on the pitch, ball-reading skills, anticipation, and intelligent thought. The best center backs in the world have it all. Here’s our pick of the bunch. There is no way that he could have been overlooked for this Manchester City v Liverpool combined XI.

Left Back – João Cancelo

Going with Cancelo and picking him over Robertson was not easy. Most Liverpool fans would disagree with me for this choice as well. However, this season Cancelo has been better from a defensive standpoint. He has had more shots, more interceptions, and tackles.

LCM – Bernardo Silva

Silva is the least loved Manchester City from a Liverpool fans’ perspective. But credit where credit is due. Silva does add a little more of a goal threat. Many expected to see Thiago here, but Silva has been more consistent this season given his better injury record over Thiago. Honestly, Thiago and Fabinho are a packaged deal when fully fit and firing. However, given Silva’s attacking output, the ability to carry the ball through midfield, speed on the overlap, and ability to cut inside is an added advantage.

DCM – Fabinho

He is the best defensive midfielder in the world. Also, let us not forget how he stepped up and added a goal threat for Liverpool when Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane were away playing the AFCON. His presence lets fullbacks dictate the creative output as well. Let us also not forget that Rodri’s biggest contribution in the season is somehow fooling the VAR referee into not awarding a handball against Everton. So, Fab over Rodri – any day!

RCM – Kevin de Bruyne

De Bruyne walks into any football team in the world. His ability on the ball, passing and distribution, and eye for goal are unmatched. This Manchester City v Liverpool Combined XI team will have two world-class passers of the ball in Trent and KbD.

Right Wing Forward – Mohamed Salah

Mohamed Salah is the best player in the world currently. There is no way he is overlooked in any combined XI, starting XI in the world. His confidence seems to be a little low, given that Egypt missed out on the AFCON trophy and qualifying for the World Cup 2022. However, he is known to show up in big games, and this game between Liverpool and Manchester City provides to be the best stage for him to rediscover his form.

False 9 – Phil Foden

Foden, as a number nine or rather false 9, is another addition I have made here. Foden is an upcoming star and can play in numerous positions. This was a tricky pick over Firmino, to be honest.

Left Wing Forward – Diogo Jota

He has been way more effective than most of us thought he would be. He is a proper poacher with the ability to score with his feet and his head. No one has scored as many headed goals since he signed for Klopp’s Liverpool. He makes this pick over Mane on current form and contribution.

Manager Pick – Jurgen Norbert Klopp

This is once again a no-brainer. Jurgen Klopp is my manager’s pick between the two. The personality of Klopp is warm and approachable. He is like a father figure to the players and for many of us fans as well. Also, his football and personality manage to ensure Anfield is full to the brim twice a week, and City, well – everyone knows that they play at the ‘Emptihad!’

So, that’s that, my Manchester City v Liverpool Combined XI has six Liverpool players and five Manchester City players. It is a properly balanced team that could win any football competition in the world with Jurgen Klopp as manager.

You can check out Zubin’s Manchester City v Liverpool Combined XI here.