Liverpool vs Manchester United: Best Possible Combined Line-up
Liverpool will host their fierce rivals Manchester United this Monday and it shapes up to be a quite spiced up match. The Red half of Merseyside will be looking to continue with the fine form they have shown so far this season, whereas Manchester United will be itching to get one over their eternal rivals. Both sets of players will have a lot to prove.
Both teams have their sets of superstars and anyone with the task of creating a combined XI would be spoilt for choice. Let us take a look at the best possible combined line up.
FORMATION: 4-1-4-1
David De Gea
Undoubtedly gets picked over Lorius Karius and Simon Mignolet. The Spaniard has impressed ever since being brought in from Atletico Madrid by Sir Alex Ferguson. Year after year, he has put in performances that have given some respectability to where Manchester United end the season. He is irreplaceable in the United lineup. He will be looking to keep the Liverpool attackers at bay.
Nathaniel Clyne
Clyne has been in fine form for Liverpool. His marauding runs down the right hand side, complementing with Sadio Mane’s incisive runs have dealt a major blow to opposition defences this season. Manchester United are currently fielding Antonio Valencia at right back. Going forward, the Ecuadorian is as good as just about anyone else, but it’s defensively where he loses out a place to Clyne in our line up.
Eric Bailly
Ivorian defender has done quite well since coming in from Villareal. He was brought in for a hefty transfer fee. But it can be seen why Mourinho wanted him. He has incredible pace and positional sense and has shown to be a promising center back with not many weaknesses. Started out the season with aplomb but has recently faded. He’s still done enough to make it to this line up.
Joel Matip
Matip had a relatively late introduction to Liverpool’s line up this season. But ever since he was brought in, the Cameroonian has performed exceedingly well. He looks comfortable at the heart of defence next to Dejan Lovren. Matip stands at 6 ft 5 in and this will certainly help with dealing against the aerial prowess of Ibrahimovic, Pogba and co.
James Milner
Milner has been a real servant to English football. He has served several clubs in his time. At 30, he is still going strong and runs around like a 20 year old. His willingness to run, work hard and put his team before himself are qualities to be admired. This season he has played at left back on Klopp’s request, due to the incompetent Alberto Moreno being held at fault repeatedly. Has had an influence on games from left back. He even has 4 penalty goals to his name.
Jordan Henderson
Klopp has made him skipper for this season. Added responsibility seems to have had a positive effect on his game. Recently had a game to forget against Slovenia in England colors but will look to get over that with a good performance against Manchester United.
Sadio Mane
The Senegalese frontman has simply been outstanding since making the move from Southampton. He has fitted in perfectly to Liverpool’s high-octane style of football. Mane works his socks off on the right-hand side. He is always ready to get the ball at feet and make things happen. There is also a willingness from his side to make clever runs and stretch opposition defences to create space for other players. Such form means he simply cannot miss out from this lineup.
Paul Pogba
Pogba has surprisingly been subdued for large parts on his return to the Premier League. But he has done enough to warrant a place in this lineup. He has brought something different to Manchester United’s attacking play. His link-up play with Ibrahimovic, Mata and Lingard has been a delight to watch at times. More will be expected from him against Liverpool. The absence of Adam Lallana and Giorginio Wijnaldum should also come as a green signal given to Pogba to flourish on the night.
Phillipe Coutinho
He is most likely to get a central berth again with the absence of Lallana and Wijnaldum on Monday night. Started off the season brightly but has recently faded and been overshadowed by other players. He will be looking to put in a good performance and influence his side’s attacking build-up.
Marcus Rashford
He looks to be the golden boy of English football at the moment. Started off the season on the bench and came on sparingly, but Mourinho eventually realized that the boy needs to be a starter. If the ‘Special one’ thinks he is deserving of a place in his XI, so do we!
Zlatan Ibrahimovic
When the Swede moved to Old Trafford in the summer, he turned a lot of heads. A lot of things were expected of this superstar who has performed exceedingly well at his previous clubs. Has done decently so far but will look to provide more movement so he can receive crosses or cute balls from his United teammates.