Liverpool And Manchester City Combined Line-Up
It will be a clash of the titans in the Premier League this week when Liverpool travel to the Etihad stadium, to take on arch rivals Manchester City.
The two teams are going neck to neck in the competition for the top four places with Jurgen Klopp’s men sitting just one point behind the Citizens in the fourth place. But, they have played a game more than their hosts. Irrespective of that, the result from the game will have huge ramifications in the race for the Champions League spots.
The last time these two met, the Reds came out victorious on New Years’ Eve, but have seen their campaign falter since then. They have managed to stage a recovery in the last two weeks, but it will be a hard task to get past Pep Guardiola’s men.
On the other hand, it has been a season full of inconsistent displays from the Sky Blues with patches of excellence and patches of mediocrity being a characteristic of their campaign. Having crashed out of the Champions League earlier this week, they will be hoping to ease the after effects of the blow with a win over one of their top-four competitors.
Ahead of the mega clash, we came up with a combined line-up featuring the stars from both Liverpool and Manchester City. Let’s see who makes the cut and who misses out:
Let’s see who makes the cut and who misses out:
Formation: 4-3-3
Willy Caballero (GK)
Simon Mignolet hasn’t been brilliant this season and Caballero has kept four clean sheets in his last five league games compared to just one for Mignolet. Thus, Caballero makes it to the XI based on his current form.
Nathaniel Clyne (RB)
On the right-hand side of the defence, it will be the ever-impressive Nathaniel Clyne of Liverpool. The City right-backs Bacary Sagna and Pablo Zabaleta haven’t been consistent at all, whereas Clyne has been a force to reckon with for the Reds.
Joel Matip (CB)
In the heart of the defence will be Joel Matip. The summer signing for Liverpool has been one of the best defenders in the league this season and has been a crucial presence. On the other hand, Nicolas Otamendi has been highly inconsistent and erroneous at times, while John Stones has failed to live up to the billing, which is why they miss out.
Aleksandar Kolarov (CB)
Slotting in alongside Matip will be City’s Aleksandar Kolarov. Guardiola has managed to convert him into a centre-half this season and after a few shaky displays, the Serbian has been solid in recent weeks. With Dejan Lovren having not played in recent weeks due to injury concerns, the 31-year old is an obvious choice in our line-up.
James Milner (LB)
And completing the back-four will be the workhorse James Milner ahead of the disappointing Gael Clichy. The Frenchman has been on the downslide this season, so much so that Guardiola at times has used Fernandinho in his position. On the other hand, Milner has slotted into his new makeshift position comfortably and has been consistent if not anything.
Georginio Wijnaldum (CM)
In the middle of the park, it will be the energetic and dynamic Gini Wijnaldum. The drive and the impetus he provides Liverpool while going forward are amazing and as a result, edges Yaya Toure out from our line-up.
David Silva (CM)
The Spanish pass master has returned to his best in recent weeks and is pulling the strings for City in the middle of the park. His vision and his technical ability mean he comes into the line-up ahead of Emre Can.
Adam Lallana (CM)
And the third midfield spot will be occupied by the brilliant Adam Lallana. It was a toss up between the Englishman and the excellent Kevin De Bruyne for this slot, but Lallana edges out De Bruyne due to his superior goals and assists tally this season. (7 goals, 7 assists compared to 4 goals and 9 assists for De Bruyne).
Sadio Mane (RW)
No-brainer here. The Senegalese international is one of the best players in the league without a doubt. While Raheem Sterling has enjoyed a resurgence under Guardiola, he is nowhere near the level of the Liverpool wide-man.
Leroy Sane (LW)
On the opposite flank, it will be the young Leroy Sane. Having struggled to get going in the early stages of the season, the German has come into his own in recent weeks and has been the key for City. Philippe Coutinho misses out as he is not yet back to his best after returning from injury.
Sergio Aguero (ST)
And leading the line at the top will be the talismanic Sergio Aguero. The Argentine has scored 12 times this season, compared to 9 goals from his Liverpool counterpart Roberto Firmino. Considering that Firmino is doubtful for the weekend’s game, Aguero completes the line-up.