Liverpool vs Manchester United: Combined XI

Liverpool host Manchester United in Sunday’s much awaited North West Derby. There is only a three-point gap between the two teams in the Premier League table with both teams struggling to navigate through a rough patch.There is immense pressure on Louis van Gaal to get a positive result at Anfield while Jurgen Klopp has certainly changed the atmosphere at the club, and will be looking to carry on the good work. We take a look at the best possible XI with players from both the teams:Formation: 4-2-3-1Note: Players picked on form and availability only.

#1 Goalkeeper

Possibly the easiest selection in the team, David De Gea has again been in brilliant form for Manchester United this season. It is important to have the right player between the sticks, and Liverpool fans will know this better than anyone else.

Liverpool’s first choice goalkeeper Simon Mignolet was to blamed for two of the three goals they conceded in the last game against Arenal. Meanwhile, reserve goalkeeper Adam Bogdan conceded one directly from a corner in the FA Cup game against Exeter City and also made an error against Watford.

On the other hand, De Gea has single handedly won games for Manchester United in the last couple of seasons. He has put in heroic performances countless number of times, and has been a leader at the back. The difference in quality between both sets of goalkeepers cannot be ignored, and De Gea is clearly the winner here.

#2 Defence

Manchester United’s Chris Smalling and Liverpool’s Mamadou Sakho would take up the centre-back positions. Smalling has been solid at the back for the Red Devils and seems like a different player altogether this season. He has been one of the most consistent performers in both the teams, and certainly the best defender at both the clubs right now.

French international Mamadou Sakho might look a bit shaky on the ball, but he has one of the best pass completion rates in the Premier League. Sakho likes to take control at the back, and he really knows how to make a perfect tackle.

At right-back, Liverpool’s Nathaniel Clyne gets selected ahead of Matteo Darmian. Both players switched clubs this the summer, but Clyne seems to have settled in quickly, and looks more solid at the back. Clyne is also better than Darmian going forward, and is one of the quickest players in the league.

At left-back, we have Alberto Moreno, as he seems to be a different player under new boss Jurgen Klopp. Moreno has enjoyed playing under Klopp, and looks better defensive, while he is still not the perfect player, but both the clubs have very few full backs in their squad. Moreno has also started games on a consistent basis while Van Gaal has fiddled with full back selections this season.

#3 Midfield

German international Emre Can has been ever present for Liverpool this season in midfield. His dominating performance against Arsenal once again showed why the 22-year-old is so highly rated by Germany manager Joachim Low.

Can likes controlling the midfield, but he doesn’t hesitate going forward, and can be really good on the ball. He seems to have all the attributes to become one of the best midfielders in Europe in the future.

It is no secret Manchester United struggle when Morgan Schneiderlin has not featured in the starting lineup this season. The French international was a quality addition to the team in the summer, and his performances have proved that. Schneiderlin likes controlling the game in the midfield, and helps to protect the defence behind him.

Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson looks in brilliant form since returning from injury, and has improved massively since arriving at Anfield in 2011. His performance against Arsenal shows why he is one of the best midfielders in the league.

Henderson is a crucial player for Jurgen Klopp, as he contributes so much defensively, and his high work rate makes him extra special. The 25-year-old has also improved on his passing range, and can really play the long pass very well. Liverpool clearly don’t look the same team in the absence of their skipper, and it is not difficult to see what he adds to the team.

#4 Attack

Anthony Martial announced himself in style when he scored in the reverse fixture at Old Trafford, and there is no doubt he is a talented kid. Martial can cause problems for the defenders with his pace and trickery on the ball. The 20-year-old really looks calm and composed on the ball, and also has the tendency to find the back of the net.

Brazilian star Roberto Firmino is another easy pick, and he showed in the last game against Arsenal why Liverpool paid big money for him in the summer. Firmino took some time to settle in at Anfield, but he has delivered in big games this season.

Though Firmino is not all about goals and assists, he really works hard for the team and contributes defensively too.

In the absence of Daniel Sturridge, Wayne Rooney gets the nod ahead of Christian Benteke even though both of them have been very average this season. Rooney seems to have found his goal scoring touch again after scoring four goals in his last three games, while Benteke has been finding it difficult to get playing time of late.

Substitutes: Simon Mignolet, Daley Blind, Matteo Darmian, James Milner, Adam Lallana, Juan Mata, Christian Benteke