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All eyes will be on Anfield tomorrow when Liverpool host defending champions Manchester City in the Premier League in what promises to be an epic encounter.
Hailed as the 'English El Clasico', the two sides have traded top-flight league titles in the last four years. They currently lead the pack in the 2021-22 season too. Liverpool are top of the pile with 14 points from six games, whilst also holding the distinction of being the only unbeaten side in the league now.
City, meanwhile, have bounced back spectacularly from their opening-day loss to Tottenham Hotspur. They have won four of their next five games to sit just below Jurgen Klopp's troops. The two teams witnessed contrasting fortunes in Europe in midweek, though, with Liverpool winning 5-1 at Porto, while City lost 2-0 at PSG.
So City will look to make amends and return to winning ways. The Sky Blues have fond memories from their last visit to the red half of Merseyside, winning 4-1, their first win at the stadium since 2003.
Liverpool, then, were in freefall, but with a fit and firing squad now, they have looked like title contenders again. So a repeat of their Anfield capitulation this weekend against City is unlikely.
On that note, ahead of the mouth-watering clash, here's a look at how the two teams would stack up in a hypothetical combined XI:
Goalkeeper - Ederson (Manchester City)
This position was arguably the most difficult to choose. Both Alisson and Ederson are the kings of the modern game, excelling in the Premier League for a while.
Even in the current season, the Brazilian legends are leading everyone else in the Premier League in terms of clean sheets recorded. While Ederson has recorded five, Alisson has registered four.
Ederson gets the nod because of his superior consistency compared to his Liverpool counterpart. He has been the epitome of consistency for City for a while now. He recently recorded his 100th clean sheet for the Sky Blues.
City's 1-0 loss to Tottenham Hotspur has been the only occasion this season where Ederson was beaten. He has kept five consecutive clean sheets in the league since that game.
An excellent reader of the game with impressive distribution skills, the 28-year-old has a commanding presence in the air. Ederson can make high claims easily or punch incoming crosses away, and could be a handful against Liverpool too.
Right-back - Kyle Walker (Manchester City)
Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold has redefined the role of a modern full-back with his imperious attacking prowess. But as he's set to miss the clash against City with an injury, Manchester City's Kyle Walker gets the nod.
Sure, he ain't as menacing going forward as Alexander-Arnold, but Walker makes up for that with his astute defending. Walker has won six aerial duels, made 16 ball recoveries and completed 93.1% of his passes in the Premier League this season.
Centre-back - Ruben Dias (Manchester City)
A revelation in the Premier League last season, Ruben Dias has had a transformational impact on Manchester City's defence last season. Since arriving from Benfica, he has provided the basis for them to launch a successful title assault.
Dias is known for his astute passing prowess (he leads the Premier League this season with 493), strength on the ball and leadership skills. He has brought a lot of silk and steel to City's backline, making them a mean outfit. He could be the key to stopping Liverpool's in-form attackers like Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane.
Centre-back - Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)
Another defender who's had a major impact for his side, Virgil van Dijk has rejuvenated Liverpool's defence since arriving from Southampton. His importance was laid bare last season, as the Reds struggled mightily in defence, and their title defence spectacularly imploded without him.
Now back fit and firing again, the Dutchman has looked like he was never absent. Van Dijk has added the composure and steel the Reds desperately lacked since his injury early on in the 2020-21 season.
Left-back - Andrew Robertson (Liverpool)
The Scotsman's rise to the upper echelons of the footballing pyramid has been quite remarkable. Andrew Robertson arrived at Liverpool as a promising young full-back from Hull City before quickly becoming the most talented player in his position.
His crossing ability is second to none. Robertson has racked up assists at a blistering pace, while also playing a key role in creating attacking plays for Liverpool with his passing and movements.
Right Midfielder: Jordan Henderson (Liverpool)
Liverpool's captain fantastic, Jordan Henderson offers much-needed balance to the side. Without him, the Jurgen Klopp machine just doesn't click, as was witnessed on a few occasions last season.
Henderson is a hard-working and athletic player who brings a lot of energy to the team. The Englishman is useful in pressing high up when the opposition has the ball. He is also key in transitioning defence into attack.
In addition to his footballing skills, Henderson is also known for his tactical intelligence and inherent leadership qualities. That is something he'll have to bring to the fore against City's well-oiled machine.
Defensive Midfielder: Fabinho (Liverpool)
Fabinho is Liverpool's evergreen utility ma. He is capable of filling in for anyone in defence and midfield. But his best position is defensive midfield, where he can provide a protective cover for the back four as well as dictate play.
A robust and agile player crucial to winning the ball back, the Brazilian has made 27 recoveries in the new season. Fabinho is strong in the air too, winning eight of his 11 aerial duels this campaign.
He narrowly gets the nod ahead of City's Rodri, who's also an exceptional holding midfielder. Against City, Fabinho will be tasked with breaking down plays and win the midfield battle. That could swing the balance of the game in Liverpool's favour.
Left Midfielder: Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City)
There hasn't been a better creator in the Premier League than Kevin De Bruyne. He has made 79 assists in 183 top-flight games since joining from VfL Wolfsburg in 2016. No other player even comes remotely close to him in that regard.
De Bruyne is a creative wizard with a penchant for defence-splitting passes. He possesses uncanny set-piece prowess, and can alter the course of matches single-handedly.
He isn't blessed with physical strength and aerial prowess. But De Bruyne makes up for that with his speed and elegance on the ball. He also possesses good dribbling skills and excellent positional awareness.
De Bruyne is yet to open his account in the league this season; he hasn't even registered an assist. But what better occasion to open both his accounts against Liverpool at Anfield?
Right Winger: Gabriel Jesus (Manchester City)
Manchester City's Gabriel Jesus has impressed this season. Rendered incapable of replacing the outgoing Sergio Aguero, the Brazilian has silenced his doubters in emphatic fashion. He has already contributed five goals in six league games this season.
Pep Guardiola's decision to shunt Jesus out on the right-flank has worked wonders. That has unearthed the creative side of Jesus. He has laid out 16 crosses and created three big chances so far, the joint-most in the City squad with Riyadh Mahrez and also the joint second-most in the league.
The Brazilian has brought a lot of dynamism and industry to the right flank, something that could keep Liverpool's Andrew Robertson busy.
Striker: Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
Mohamed Salah has firmly established himself among the world's best goalscorers, with his blistering exploits over the last four years. He has netted 133 goals in 211 games for Liverpool across competitions, while also assisting another 40.
He has been worth every penny the Reds splurged for his services. The former AS Roma winger played a key role in Liverpool's Premier League and Champions League success. Salah has also taken home numerous individual honours, including the Premier League Golden Boot twice.
With five goals in the 2021-22 campaign, the Egyptian ace has his sights set on a third. Only Michail Antonio and Jamie Vardy have accrued as many goals as Salah this campaign. The Egyptian would be hungry for more against City on Sunday.
Salah has a decent record against City, scoring six goals from 12 games in all competitions. That includes a goal apiece in both league games against City last season.
Left Winger: Sadio Mane (Liverpool)
If Salah is the best African player right now, Sadio Mane comes a close second. He, too, has been a symbol of consistency for Liverpool since arriving from Southampton six years ago. The Liverpool ace is a hugely sought-after winger in the game at the moment.
With 101 goals and 43 assists in 226 games, the Senegalese international is a key player for Liverpool. He has stepped up in big games like Salah, and forged a menacing attacking partnership with the Egyptian.
Pacy, athletic and exceptionally skilled, the 29-year-old can rip defences to shreds if given the space and time to work with. Following a slight dip in form last season, Sadio Mane seems to have recaptured his mojo in the 2021-22 campaign.
Like Salah, Mane has scored six times against City too, but in a few more games than the Egyptian.
