Make no mistake about it, Liverpool vs Manchester City at Anfield has all the makings to be the game of the season. Two teams known for their firebrand style of football will lock horns, albeit, for completely different objectives.
City will go into this game wanting to continue their unbeaten run in the league. At the same time, Liverpool will feel the need to put in an impressive performance against the toughest opponent they can come across in the league and push on with their race to the second spot.
It can also be argued that City's most crucial away test excites Pep Guardiola with Anfield being the only ground where the Citizens have not won since Sheikh Mansour took over. Manchester City last tasted victory at Anfield back in 2003. But a 5-0 win in the first half of the season might provide the much-needed confidence going into this game.
Liverpool have been a different side since their drubbing at the hands of Tottenham Hotspur in October and are unbeaten since. Both these sides are currently experiencing a purple patch on the field with many expecting Jurgen Klopp's men to stop the Manchester City juggernaut.
On that note, let's take a look at the combined XI from these sides based on current form, influence and fitness:
Goalkeeper
Goalkeeper: Ederson (Manchester City)
The easiest choice to make in this combined lineup. On one hand, Ederson has impressed since his summer move whereas, on the other, both Simon Mignolet and Loris Karius have not impressed Jurgen Klopp and the supporters.
Klopp does not seem to know who the best keeper of the roster is and this gives us a fair idea of the quality of the custodians present at the club.
Meanwhile, Ederson has been in great form for Manchester City with the Brazilian being City's first line of attack. His distribution is sensational as well. Choosing Ederson over Mignolet is as simple a decision as any.
Defence
Right back: Kyle Walker (Manchester City)
With four assists in 20 league starts, Walker has seamlessly settled into new surroundings at the Etihad. The fullback has gone on to become an integral part of Guardiola's system and has proven to be another inspired signing.
Both of Liverpool's young right backs, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Joe Gomez have performed exceedingly well but when compared to Walker's influence on his side, both of them fail to make the cut ahead of the former Spurs man.
Centre back: Nicolas Otamendi (Manchester City)
The Argentine defender has been one of the most improved players for City this season. Otamendi leads his side with respect to the average number of interceptions and clearances per game and has effectively led City's defence in the absence of Vincent Kompany.
Otamendi's aerial threat in set pieces has resulted in a number of crucial goals for him this season which has also made him one of the best defenders in England presently.
He easily beats the likes of Joel Matip and John Stones, who have struggled with injuries in recent times, to this position.
Centre back: Virgil Van Dijk (Liverpool)
Liverpool's record signing is set to make his Premier League debut against one of the sides that were keen to take him on board. The FA Cup game against Everton reflected Van Dijk's qualities where he instantly made an impression by rallying the Reds' defence and being confident in his every move.
Just as Otamendi, Van Dijk averages more interceptions and clearances than any Liverpool player and despite not making many league appearances this season, ranks up pretty well statistically.
Liverpool's fortunes rest on Van Dijk's performance against City's attack and if he manages to keep Aguero and co. at bay on Sunday, Liverpool will feel a whole lot better about the amount that they had to pay for him.
Left back: Alberto Moreno (Liverpool)
Until the time Alberto Moreno was fit, the Spaniard was Liverpool's best player after Mohammed Salah. Now he is back in training and is in contention to start against Manchester City. Pep Guardiola's left back problems had been well documented until he found a stop-gap solution in the form of Fabian Delph.
The makeshift left-back has impressed in an uncharacteristic position but he hasn't been as impressive as Moreno in this campaign.
Defensively, the Spaniard beats Delph in clearances and successful tackles and offensively too, Moreno has attempted more dribbles and has created more chances. From a traditionally purist point of view, Moreno deserves this place ahead of Delph.
Midfield
Defensive midfield: Fernandinho (Manchester City)
The Brazilian's importance to this Manchester City side often goes unnoticed owing to the exploits of the attackers. But his ability to shield his defence and do all the dirty work has been immense to City's cause this season.
Fernandinho has also chipped in with two goals and three assists this season, growing each week as a midfielder. With Jordan Henderson out injured and Emre Can not being assured in this position, picking Fernandinho was an easy choice.
Centre midfield: Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City)
Keeping KDB out of this combined lineup or for that matter, any combined eleven in the world, on current form, would be a crime. He has been that good from a deeper midfield position. With six goals and nine assists, De Bruyne is currently leading the race to win the player of the year award.
De Bruyne has been his side's most consistent player, be it creating chances or setting the tempo of the game with his short passes or his defence-splitting through balls. He epitomizes Pep Guardiola's vision on the field.
Centre midfield: David Silva (Manchester City)
The Spaniard may have missed a few matches recently due to his son's delicate health condition but Silva is expected to be in the starting XI on Sunday. Like KDB, Silva has put in some great shifts in midfield and has looked as sharp as he ever was.
If Coutinho had been a Liverpool player for this match then Silva would not have been a part of this lineup. But when compared to the likes of Adam Lallana, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Gini Wijnaldum, Silva beats them fair and square to this spot.
Attack
Right wing: Mohammed Salah (Liverpool)
Salah's tally of 17 goals and 5 assists inarguably makes him the signing of the season. He is just a goal shy of Harry Kane's tally at this point but leads the way in terms of overall contribution. The Egyptian is another player who deserves a place ahead of a lot of others in this lineup and alongside KDB, he has been one of the league's trendsetters.
Starting on the right, Salah has drifted inside and is often seen inside the penalty area which has resulted in such a rich return for the forward. Salah was having a good game in the previous fixture between the two sides until Sadio Mane's red card but he also missed a couple of clear-cut chances. He will be looking to rectify his mistakes this time around.
Left wing: Raheem Sterling (Manchester City)
Surely, the Englishman has been the most improved player in the league this season. Credit goes to him and Pep Guardiola with the wide forward contributing with 14 league goals so far; just behind Salah and Kane.
It was a direct fight between Sterling and his teammate Leroy Sane for this spot but the former Liverpool man's overall influence this season made him a standout performer in front of the German. Salah's presence has pushed him to the right but by current form, Sterling can prove to be deadly from either of the flanks.
Centre forward: Roberto Firmino (Liverpool)
This is set to be a controversial pick with Sergio Aguero also being brilliant form. But Firmino too has been having a dream season in a no.9 role and has been an integral part of what Liverpool do going forward.
His finishing has improved, he can link up well, he is good in the air, he counter-presses brilliantly and can run for his side until he's told to stop. Basically, Firmino is a modern striker having top all-around qualities.
Aguero has not done anything wrong to not get picked in this list, he has even scored four more league goals than the Brazilian but it is the overall impact and the overall contribution which makes Firmino get the nod ahead of City's all-time top scorer.
Bench: Claudio Bravo, Joe Gomez, John Stones, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Ilkay Gundogan, Leroy Sane, Sergio Aguero