Picking the best combined XI of Liverpool and Manchester City of 2018 in the Premier League

In 2018, Premier League went up a notch with Manchester City tallying a record-breaking 100 points to win the title. Pep Guardiola's side displayed an altogether different brand of football which was never seen before in England. The high pressing and quick one-touch philosophy made life miserable for the opposition. The Etihad stadium became a fortress with teams getting humiliated week in and week out.

However, the club who went toe to toe with the defending champions is Liverpool. Jurgen Klopp not only took the Reds to the Champions League final last season but are now favourites to be crowned Premier League Champions in the 2018-19 campaign. The deadly front three backed by the presence of Virgil Van Dijk and Alisson in defense have been a treat to watch throughout the season.

Hence, without the much adieu, let's look the players who did impress the most and made into the combined XI from both the sides in a 4-3-3 formation.

#11 GK - Ederson (Manchester City)

Ederson is brilliant both with his gloves and his feet.

In the first half of the 2018-19 campaign, Liverpool's Alisson was way ahead of rest of the goalkeepers with twelve clean sheets from 19 matches. He got praised for his some impressive performances and even argued to be better than Manuel Neuer.

However, Ederson got the nod ahead of his national teammate because not only was he pivotal in Manchester City's winning the Premier League last season but gave the back four a much-needed assurance in front of the goal. Ederson's distribution also caught the eye as some of his long balls often found a Blue shirt which led to chances created out of nothing.

The Brazilian is one of Pep Guardiola's most significant assets in the side, and he needs him to be at the very best if the defending Champions wants to retain their title this season as well.

#10 RB - Kyle Walker (Manchester City)

Walker gives Manchester City some versatility down the flanks

Kyle Walker is one of the best full-backs in the world. When Kyle runs, there is not many who can catch up with his pace. Walker made his name during his days with Tottenham Hotspur, but Pep Guardiola helped him to become a much better player.

Kyle understands the game better now and rarely gets caught out of possession. No wonder Manchester City paid so much for the right back.

#9 CB - Virgil Van Dijk (Liverpool)

In a nutshell, Virgil Van Dijk has wholly changed the dynamic of the Liverpool side since his arrival in January last season. He a subject of interest from Jurgen Klopp who failed to get his services in the summer. However, with Liverpool fighting on the various front including the Champions League, a player like Virgil became a necessity for the club.

The Dutchman helped the Reds reach the Champions League final last season and has been instrumental in the side's 12 clean sheets so far this campaign. He is argued to be the best defender in the world at the moment.

#8 CB - John Stones (Manchester City)

John Stones is a regular in the side when he is fit.

John Stones is another player who has improved tremendously under Pep Guardiola. The Spaniard likes his team to play from the back and Stones exemplifies just that.

The England center-half is a threat in the opposition box as well. He has often come up with an odd goal from a corner or a set piece. John is currently out of the team due to injury which is a worry for the Manchester City fans.

#7 LB - Andrew Robertson (Liverpool)

The Scottish International is one tireless individual who can run throughout the 90 minutes with the same stamina and still would not drop a sweat. The fee Liverpool paid for Andrew looks more like a bargain these days as he impresses with each passing day.

The former Manchester United boss, Jose Mourinho praised the left back for his performance after the Red Devils got humbled at the Anfield couple of weeks before. Moreover, he has a deadly left foot which can fist in some dangerous crosses into the box. Roberston is defensively sound as well and is not easy to get the better of him.

#6 CDM - Fernandinho (Manchester City)

Fernandinho gives the backline much-needed support.

It was a tough choice between Liverpool's Georginio Wijnaldum and Manchester City's Fernandinho for the central midfield position. However, the Brazillian got the nod ahead of the Dutchman simply because of the value he brings to the side. Pep Guardiola had used his versatility to good effect.

Fernandinho often played as a makeshift right-back and still put in a proper shift. He was pivotal in Manchester City's title race last season and a vital part of the squad in their aspiration to retain the title this campaign as well. Recently, his absence resulted in Guardiola's side losing a couple of games which has somewhat pegged them back in the title race.

#5 RM - David Silva (Manchester City)

David is pocket dynamite in the midfield.

Manchester City has a rich list of quality midfielders at their disposal with David Silva being one of them. The Spaniard can split through any defense with his passing and often comes up with crucial goals.

David is at the heart of everything that Pep Guardiola's side creates from the center of the park providing quality through balls for Aguero and Sterling to pounce. Pep knows how valuable Silva is to his side's Premier League ambitions.

#4 LM - Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City)

De Bruyne is one of the best midfielders in the world.

The Belgian was Manchester City's Player of the 2017/18 season. De Bruyne can not only pick a pass out of the blue but score from long range as well. The goal against Chelsea, last season with his weaker left foot, was one of the best in Kevin's career.

De Bruyne missed a few games this season due to injury but is now back fit and eager to help the side retain the league title. The defending Champions are also fighting on all four fronts which makes Kevin's fitness a top priority for the medical staff.

#3 LW - Sadio Mane (Liverpool)

Mane is a delight to watch when he is in full flow.

One part of Liverpool's deadly front three, Sadio Mane is a joy to watch down the right wing. His power and agility is a nightmare for any right back to defend.

Mane is another player who signed from Southampton and easily gelled into Jurgen Klopp's philosophy. At the start of the current campaign when Mo Salah was misfiring, it was the Senegalese who chipped in with crucial goals to keep the Reds in touch with the then league leaders Manchester City.

#2 RW - Mo Salah (Liverpool)

Chelsea must feel gutted with the decision of letting Mo Salah leave in 2015. The Egyptian's performance for Roma inspired Jurgen Klopp to get his services in Liverpool, and it turned out to be the best thing to happen for the Reds.

Salah was sensational last season breaking Premier League record of the total number of goals scored in a single season. He took some time to get into the groove, but once he did that, it was no looking back since then. Mo even helped Liverpool reach the UCL final.

In the current campaign, the Egyptian started slow but has caught up with the rest and is now the joint top scorer along with Aubameyang and Harry Kane.

#1 CF - Sergio Aguero (Manchester City)

Sergio Aguero is one of the best strikers in the world. The Argentine is deadly in front of the goal and can even score from half chances.

Sergio is part of Manchester City's fav four which includes David Silva, Raheem Sterling, and Kevin De Bruyne as well. His movement around the six-yard box is tough for any opposition team to deal. Aguero uses his short stature to good effect and often holds the play up front for the full backs to provide support.

He is Manchester City's all-time leading scorer and would want to win the Champions League before leaving the Etihad.

Formation : 4-3-3