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The 2018-2019 season has seen Liverpool top the Premier League at Christmas for the first time since Brendan Rodgers (or in other people's opinion Luis Suarez's) charges in 2013-14. This season presents the best opportunity for the Reds to get their hands on that elusive Premier League trophy.
To do so, they must overcome a familiar foe, the same one that pipped them to the title last time out, Manchester City. Pep Guardiola has assembled one of the best sides the Premier League has ever seen. The Citizens will not give up the title that they won last season without a fight. Should the two sides slip up, Tottenham are set to capitalize and capture an unlikely League title.
Jurgen Klopp's team for this season has been built upon a foundation of defensive solidity while Brendan's was all about scoring more than the opponent with little worry of conceding. Neither team can be accused of being boring though.
Who would make it into a combined XI of these different eras? For this list we consider only the performances of these players for their respective seasons rather than their overall careers.
Goalkeeper: Alisson
The Brazilian No. 1 has been immense since he moved from AS Roma to Liverpool in the summer. In the opening 21 games of the Premier League season, Alisson has kept an incredible 12 clean sheets and conceded only 10 goals. In fact, only defending champions Manchester City have scored more than once against him in the league.
While there is an argument that his impressive statistics are a result of the impressive defenders in front of him, Alisson has on many occasions managed to repel the breaches to the defensive line.
His impressive saves have won Liverpool a fair few points which have propelled them to the top of the league. His saves against Everton and Burnley in particular have stood out. His composure and distribution has also caught the eye as well as his ability to command the box.
Simon Mignolet was pretty impressive in his debut season but as is the case in the current Liverpool team, Alisson benches him for our combined XI.
Right-back: Trent Alexander-Arnold
Still only 20 years old, Alexander-Arnold continues to be a mainstay in Jurgen Klopp's team. The hometown youngster has been so impressive since Nathaniel Clyne suffered a long-term injury that Clyne has failed in his bid to regain his position in the starting lineup since his return.
Cool with the ball and with the ability to ping a pass, Trent has continued to grow in leaps and bounds under Klopp. His positional sense has improved drastically this season, and he reliably supports the attack and defense.
While Glen Johnson had a relatively decent year in 2013-14, Alexander-Arnold just about edges him out due to his delivery in attack and his tracking back when defending.
Center-back: Martin Skrtel
The Slovakian was an absolute warrior during his time at Liverpool. While he was prone to the occasional lapse in judgement (and occasional own goal), Skrtel always put his body on the line for his team.
Skrtel missed the first two games but upon his return, he played every minute of the Premier League season. He scored some absolutely crucial goals to aid Liverpool in their title push including a brace in a memorable 5-1 win over Arsenal and the second goal in a crucial 3-2 win over City at Anfield. In all, he scored an incredible 7 goals that season.
His goal contributions and his durability means he edges the likes of Agger and Kolo Toure of the 2013-14 team, and Gomez and Lovren of the current one.
Center-back: Virgil van Dijk
Considered by some to be the best defender in the world, Virgil van Dijk has been one of, if not the, best player in the league so far this season. He has not contributed a lot on the offensive end, managing one goal vs Wolves and a bizarre assist for Origi's goal in the derby vs Everton.
At the back, however, he has been a rock and, along with Alisson, has been credited with Liverpool's defensive improvement this season. His ability to control the game with his wide range of passing is incredible for a defender. He is also calm in possession, brilliant in one-on-one situations, powerful in the air and able to command the back line.
He is vocal and get's the best out of those around him, and these are qualities which have seen him chosen as Liverpool's third captain; a shoo-in for our combined XI.
Left-back: Andrew Robertson
Andrew Robertson's incredible rise continues as he keeps on going from strength to strength since his transfer from relegated Hull City. This has led to some labeling him as the best left-back in the Premier League. Going by his performances this season, it is hard to argue otherwise.
The 24 -year-old defender demonstrates a superb reading of the game from his position making him a threat in attack and impossible to beat in defense. Robertson is not the quickest but his anticipation means he is always in the right place at the right time.His constant running down that left flank is unbelievable and he never seems to tire.
Jon Flanagan who played left-back in 2013-14 possessed similar heart, drive and desire and was one of the revelations of that season. He gets edged out of this lineup based on overall quality.
Deep-Lying Midfielder: Steven Gerrard
It is almost impossible to have a combined XI and not feature the Liverpool legend. A change of position by Rodgers saw Steven Gerrard deployed at the base of a midfield diamond. The talismanic midfielder took to the position like a fish to water and dominated.
He performed the defensive duties admirably, shielding the back line. The position also allowed him to showcase his passing ability, initiating the attack and controlling the tempo of the game.
His pin-point long balls into the front men and his deliveries from set-pieces saw Gerrard finish top of the assist charts with 13 assists to go along with his 13 goals. All this while passionately driving his team towards the title with his strong leadership. It is unfortunate that it had to end as it did.
Central Midfielder: Jordan Henderson
Jordan Henderson is one of three players in the current setup to have been involved in the 2013/14 team; the others being Simon Mignolet and Daniel Sturridge. Henderson has been an integral part of the team this season demonstrating his leadership qualities as club captain. For this team, however, it is the 2013/2014 version of Jordan Henderson that slots into midfield.
The vice captain was an impressive performer in midfield next to Gerrard with his tireless running, accurate passing and intensity. He also chipped in with a couple of delightful goals during the season. His durability also saw him play all of the Reds' first 34 games of the Premier League season, missing the next 3 only through suspension.
Henderson's influence was so much that season that some have argued that his suspension as a result of a red card in a 3-2 win over Manchester City was the turning point of the season that led to Liverpool missing out on the title. That slip aside, Henderson's suspension was certainly a major factor.
Central midfielder: Georginio Wijnaldum
Georginio Wijnaldum is easily one of the most underrated players in the Premier League. Signed from Newcastle where he operated as part of a front three or as a No.10, the Dutchman has found his feet in central midfield and excelled in defensive midfield for the Reds.
The 28-year-old has arguably been the best midfield performer for Liverpool in a variety of roles. He has even managed to maintain his position amidst stiff competition from among others new signings Fabinho, Naby Keita and Xherdan Shaqiri.
He has been great in possession, using his body to shield the ball brilliantly before picking his passes. He is also a joy to watch when receiving the ball on the half-turn and his ability to maneuver out of tight situations is equally impressive. He just about edged the current crop of midfielders including Fabinho, Milner and Keita as well as Lucas, Allen and Coutinho.
Forward: Mohamed Salah
The Premier League's best player last season has set about proving that last season was no fluke. Mohamed Salah has picked up from where he left off last season when he scored a record 32 Premier League goals, by notching up 13 in 21 appearances this season. This tally sees him sit second in this season's scoring charts behind Tottenham's Harry Kane and Arsenal's Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang who lead with 14.
Mo has become the focal point of Liverpool's attack with a tactical switch by Klopp this season seeing him deployed more centrally. That has not stopped him from setting up goals for his teammates giving him seven assists, just two shy of league leading Eden Hazard of Chelsea on nine.
Liverpool will need all of his goal contributions if they are to maintain their position at the top of the table. He merits his selection in this XI and slots into our fluid and interchangeable front three.
Forward: Luis Suarez
Prior to Salah's historic 2017/2018 season, another Reds forward had put up one of the greatest individual seasons in Premier League history in 2013/2014. The man is Luis Suarez. The Uruguayan missed the first five matches of the season and then went on to plunder 31 goals in 33 appearances upon his return. He also had 12 assists to go with the goals.
He was clinical from just about anywhere on the field scoring tap-ins and headers, free kicks and screamers. It wasn't just about the goals for Suarez though. It was the manner in which he influenced the game. He would harry defenders causing them to give up the ball, he would lead the press from the front and on occasion would drop deep to pick up the ball and thread the pass to a teammate, often strike partner Daniel Sturridge.
Suarez showed tremendous heart and determination and left his all on the field leading him to sweep the individual end-of-season accolades.
Forward: Daniel Sturridge
Liverpool forwards Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino and even new signing Xherdan Shaqiri have been in fine form this season. They have kept Sturridge out of the team this season, leading to the striker making sporadic appearances often off the bench.
However, they are unfortunate to miss out on this combined XI because the 2013-14 version of Daniel Sturridge edges them out. During the opening games of the season, Liverpool played without the services of Luis Suarez who was on suspension and Sturridge came up big scoring in each of the first four games, three of which were 1-0 wins.
Upon the return of Suarez, the two worked perfectly together forming a lethal partnership nicknamed SAS. In total, Sturridge scored 21 goals and supplied seven assists finishing second to teammate Suarez in the goal-scoring charts. His lethal finishing, confidence and intelligent runs off the ball made him one of the most feared strikers in the league and sees him complete our combined XI.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and they do not necessarily represent the views of Sportskeeda.
