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In one of the most fierce modern-day club rivalries, Manchester United and Liverpool will square off at Old Trafford in the English Premier League on Sunday.
The hosts have kicked off their 2021-22 campaign on a great note, winning four of their first five league games. But they are winless in their last three, losing twice and drawing once. Though United did record a comeback 3-2 win over Atalanta in the Champions League, they will have their task cut out against Liverpool.
The Reds are the only unbeaten team in the English top flight in the 2021-22 campaign. They are also the highest-scoring side in the league. After consecutive draws, they returned to winning ways with a 5-0 win over Watford in their last game.
Passion and fervour will not be in short supply when the two old rivals meet on Sunday. On that note, here's a look at how the two Premier League powerhouses would stack up in a hypothetical combined XI: A 4-1-2-3 formation has been considered.
Goalkeeper: Alisson Becker (Liverpool)
David De Gea was at one point one of the greatest goalkeepers in the world. But on current form, the nod goes to Liverpool custodian Alisson Becker.
He has been highly consistent for The Reds, helping them to a Premier League and Champions League title. This season, he has kept four clean sheets; three of the six goals he has conceded were against Chelsea and Manchester City.
While he might not be the best goalkeeper with his feet, he is very solid when it comes to making reflex saves. Alisson also has a great sense of positioning when dealing with crosses.
Left-back: Luke Shaw (Manchester United)
Luke Shaw has come a long way from what was seemingly a career-ending injury in 2015. The left-back's impressive performances for Manchester United earned him a place in the national team.
His pace and penchant to link up with attackers in the final third makes him a very dangerous opponent to go up against on the flanks. He has only one assist to his name this season.
Shaw's attacking output could be limited in this game, though. That's because he will have to put in a great shift defensively against Liverpool's in-form attacking trio of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino.
Centre-back: Virgil Van Dijk (Liverpool)
Liverpool's Virgil Van Dijk is a no-brainer in this hypothetical combined XI. The Dutchman is one of the best central defenders in the world at the moment. Apart from his impeccable reading of the game, timely challenges and aerial supremacy, his distribution skills make him a great asset to Jurgen Klopp.
After returning from a long injury layoff, Van Dijk has played all league games for Liverpool this season. That is a sign of just how important he is in the Liverpool squad.
He also has an assist to his name, and is averaging 3.6 aerial duel wins per 90. Van Dijk is very vocal at the back, and commands the entire defence with ease. So he could play a huge role in the outcome of this game against Manchester United.
Centre-Back: Joel Matip (Liverpool)
Liverpool might be making waves in Europe with their fast-paced and effective attacking football. But it is their stability at the back that allows them to be so potent in attack.
Joel Matip has been one of the defensive players whose performances have gone under the radar. That's because Van Dijk has taken most of the plaudits for Liverpool's fabulous defensive outings. This season, Matip has played seven of eight Premier League games for Liverpool, and has posted better numbers than his Dutch teammate.
Klopp signed up Matip on a free transfer, which remains one of the best pieces of transfer done by him for the Merseyside club.
Right-back: Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool)
There are a lot of players who would've liked to achieve what Trent Alexander-Arnold has achieved at just 23. He has played a pivotal role in the Champions League and Premier League for the Reds, and continues to operate on a world-class level.
This season, he has featured in six games, missing two because of injuries, and has picked up two assists. His marauding runs down the right flank could prove to be a nuisance for Manchester United.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka deserves a mention here, as he has been solid, at least defensively, and attempts 2.3 tackles a game. But he is not at top form currently, so he misses out on a place in this hypothetical combined XI here.
Central Midfielder: Paul Pogba (Manchester United)
For the central midfield role in our hypothetical combined XI, Manchester United's Paul Pogba gets the nod. That is because of his ability to move the ball quickly through the middle of the park. Pogba has also taken on a more defensive role with France, which should help him in club football as well.
His ball distribution has taken a hit as the season has progressed; Pogba has completed only 86% of his passes so far. There might be a host of midfielders available for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to choose from for this game. But at the moment, there is no player in better form than the Frenchman to start in central midfield against Liverpool on Sunday.
Attacking Midfielder: Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United)
Bruno Fernandes has earned his place in this hypothetical combined XI, as he has been in great touch since joining Manchester United. This season, he has scored a club-high four league goals, and has also bagged two assists.
With a whopping four key passes per 90, Fernandes is a creative force in midfield, helping create a lot of chances for United. He has a wide array of passes in his arsenal. Fernandes can pick out teammates with short and direct passes, and can also find attacking colleagues by making runs into the box and whipping in lobbed long balls.
The pressure of being the most creative and reliable player for a club like Manchester United can take a toll, But Fernandes has delivered consistently thus far. In this game against Liverpool, the Portuguese will look to remove his tag of being an underperformer against the top six clubs in the league.
Attacking Midfielder: Mason Greenwood (Manchester United)
Manchester United's academy has produced some real talents over the years, with the likes of Marcus Rashford making a name for themselves on the big stage. The latest player in that regard is United's 20-year-old sensation Mason Greenwood.
The player's impressive displays have earned him a nomination for the Kopa trophy this year. With Solskjaer handing him more and more starts, Greenwood is only expected to improve as the season progresses.
Thanks to his eye for goal and confidence, Greenwood is a player Liverpool will need to keep an eye on.
Left Winger: Sadio Mane (Liverpool)
Sadio Mane has developed as one of the best left-wingers in the world during his stint at Liverpool. The Senegalese winger recently joined his teammate Mohamed Salah and Chelsea legend Didier Drogba as the only African players to score 100 Premier League goals.
Mane is very potent in front of goal, and his pace and quick feet help him beat his markers with ease. He has scored five goals this season so far, but the figures do not do justice to his contribution on the field.
Mane's intelligent runs help Salah by pulling defenders away from the Egyptian. That allows Salah to get into good goalscoring positions. Mane will look forward to a great battle on the flanks with Manchester United's Wan-Bissaka.
Right Winger: Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
Mohamed Salah has been in such tearing form at the moment that he would walk into the first XI of any club. The Egyptian King has scored some wonderful goals this term, and has been involved in 16 goals across all competitions for Liverpool.
Many fans and pundits have claimed that, going by current form, Salah is the best player on the planet at the moment. His performances for Liverpool, week in and week out, are a testament to his abilities.
The left-footed winger is lethal in front of goal, and his dazzling runs often bamboozles his markers. Considering his blistering start to the season, Salah could deliver a match-winning performance in this big game on Sunday.
Centre-Forward: Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United)
Cristiano Ronaldo has been the epitome of consistency in the game, scoring goals galore for all the clubs he has played for. He switched allegiances from Juventus to Manchester United this summer. He has hit the ground running, having already scored six goals across competitions.
This will be his first appearance against Liverpool in over 12 years in the Premier League. His last outing against the Reds came in the 2018 UEFA Champions League final with Real Madrid.
Ronaldo has found the back of the net just three times across Liverpool, something he'd look to change on Sunday.
