Everton vs Liverpool: Combined XI

Everton host Liverpool in the longest running top-flight derby on Saturday at Goodison Park. The Reds have been in fine form and have won 5 of their last 6 games in the Premier League, and having won 2-0 against West Ham United in their last game at Anfield. Everton are 12th in the league table having won their last game against Crystal Palace 1-0.Liverpool have lost just one in the last 16 Merseyside derbies in the league and are also unbeaten in 13 matches in all competitions. Daniel Sturridge is back from injury and didn’t take long to find the back of the net. Phil Jagielka’s stunner earned Everton a point at Anfield in the reverse fixture after Steven Gerrard gave Liverpool the lead. Gerrard might play in his 33rd and last derby, as he leaves for LA Galaxy at the end of the season, and Liverpool fans will be hoping for one last moment of magic from their skipper.On the other end, though, things aren’t so rosy as Everton were winless in 6 matches in the Premier League prior to their win against Crystal Palace at the weekend. With pressure mounting on Roberto Martinez and the prospect of relegation getting more realistic by the day, a win over their crosstown rivals would go a long way in pacifying the fans.Ahead of the 224th Merseyside derby, we take a look at the combined starting XI from Merseyside:The team will line up in a 433 formation

#1 Goalkeeper

Simon Mignolet

With Tim Howard out with a calf injury, the Belgian international is clearly the number one choice here. Joel Robles will be between the sticks for Everton and is a weak link for the home side. Mignolet was earlier heavily criticized after a poor start to the season, but he has managed to turn a corner after restoring his position in the team due to an injury to backup goalkeeper Brad Jones.

The 26-year-old has the second most number of clean sheets in the Premier League and has managed three consecutive clean sheets in the last three away fixtures.

#2 Defence

Seamus Coleman

Both Glen Johnson and Javier Manquillo have been missing from Liverpool starting XI in the recent weeks, and this makes it quite easy for Seamus Coleman to cement his place in the starting XI despite being not able to replicate his last season’s performances. In the absence of Glen Johnson, Liverpool have looked quite solid at the back and there is nothing the England International can do to convince us that he can still do the job for Liverpool.

Emre Can

Perhaps one of the most difficult decision for us, Emre Can who is primarily a central midfielder is one of the key reason for some stability around the Liverpool defence in the last few weeks. The strong German U21 international has been deployed as a centre-back in a 3-4-3 formation by Rodgers, and is starting to prove to be a bargain for them. His ability to convert defence into attack was once again on display against Bolton in the FA Cup.

Mamadou Sakho

There is little doubt that the French international is the best centre-back in Merseyside. The 24-year-old stormed out of the last Merseyside derby after finding himself out of the squad, but since then he has made a remarkable comeback into the side and has kept Dejan Lovren out of the team.

Leighton Baines

The England international gets our nod ahead of Alberto Moreno, who has been in fine form in the recent weeks. Baines is also an attacking threat with eight assists to his name and his ability to convert set-pieces also gets him ahead of the Spanish international.

#3 Midfielders

Jordan Henderson and Steven Gerrard

Jordan Henderson has the most number of assists, passes completed, tackles and distance covered in the Liverpool squad. Liverpool have often been found struggling in the absence of Henderson and he, alongside his skipper Steven Gerrard, is an easy choice in the middle of the park.

Gerrard might be the greatest player to have played in the Merseyside derby and the likes of Gareth Barry and Muhamed Besic fail to provide sufficient competition to the Liverpool skipper. Though it was difficult to keep out Lucas Leiva who has been vital for Liverpool in the recent weeks, but the English duo statistically look like a better pair.

Philippe Coutinho

Currently, one of the best number 10 in the league and this was the easiest choice for us to make. The young Brazilian international is playing in his own league and despite Ross Barkley being one of the most talented English players fails to make it to our combined starting XI. Coutinho has everything it takes to be a world class number 10 in the near future and he once again showed that in the midweek fixture against Bolton in the FA Cup.

#4 Forwards

Raheem Sterling and Kevin Mirallas (Wingers)

Another easy choice for us to make, Raheem Sterling has been bagging goal regularly for Liverpool in the absence of Daniel Sturridge and has shown the maturity to play as a central striker. The 20-year-old has 5 goals and 5 assists to his name in the Premier League and there is no reason for us to keep the European Golden Boy winner out of our starting XI. Kevin Mirallas despite missing games due to injury has 5 goals in the Premier League and the Belgian international can be an attacking threat to an team.

Daniel Sturridge

After scoring on his return from injury, Sturridge showed Liverpool fans what they have been missing all season. Sturridge scored 21 goals last season for Liverpool and was a key player to Brendan Rodgers side that finished second in the league. Lukaku has simply not done enough since making his £28m to Everton and despite Sturridge missing most of the season due to injury makes it to our combined starting XI.

#5 Manager and substitutes

Manager – Brendan Rodgers

After a poor start to the season, Brendan Rodgers’ side have finally turned the corner and the Northern Irishman deserves every bit of credit for changing his side’s fortunes in the past few weeks. Rodgers changed the formation of his side to 3-4-3 in the absence of Daniel Sturridge and other strikers failing to live up to the expectations.

To be fair, it can be difficult for any team to prosper without their two leading goal scorers and Brendan Rodgers has done quite well to keep his side in hunt of a Champions League spot. Roberto Martinez still has lot to do and no real progress can be seen so far.

Subs: Joel Robles, Martin Skrtel, John Stones, Alberto Moreno, Lucas Leiva, Adam Lallana, Romelu Lukaku