Chelsea v Liverpool: Combined XI

Picking a best eleven from the combined squads of Chelsea and Liverpool isn’t an easy task. Not because there’s so much quality to choose from, but because both sides have had underwhelming seasons so far, and many of their star players are out of form or injured.The side from the capital have had a miserable time of it in all competitions so far this season. They lie 15th in the Premier League, third in their Champions League group, and on Wednesday they slipped out of the League Cup at the hands of Stoke City.There are even murmurings that José Mourinho may lose his job should they suffer defeat against their rivals from Merseyside. Liverpool meanwhile, have already sacked their manager this season, with Brendan Rodgers being shown the door after a drab derby draw against Everton at Goodison.The writing had been on the wall for Rodgers since last season, and a mediocre start to this one was enough to force the club’s owners into action. They hired one of the best managers in Europe in the shape of Jurgen Klopp, but the German will have to be at the top of his game to get the best from a squad low on confidence and belief.The following eleven players are the best of a bad bunch, but it contains players who on their day can be amongst the best on the continent

#1 Goalkeeper - Asmir Begovic

With Thibaut Courtois out injured, the choice of goalkeeper is perhaps the toughest to make. While the Belgian’s international understudy, Simon Mignolet, has been a big contributing factor to his manager’s unbeaten start at Liverpool, he still has big flaws in his all-round game.

He made a couple of outstanding saves away at Tottenham, meaning his side kept a much-needed clean sheet, and has made vital interventions in subsequent games, but his distribution is poor as is his dominance in the area, and for this reason it could be easy to pick Chelsea’s current man between the posts.

Begovic has been generally solid, though he is still prone to the odd mistake. You can’t fault the Bosnian’s effort and application, but his performances for Chelsea so far have divided opinion.

If nothing more than the previous game were taken into account then Liverpool’s Adam Bogdan would be chosen, but his faultless performance against Bournemouth on Wednesday will need to be repeated before he claims the number one spot.

#2 Right-back - Cesar Azpilicueta

Even though he rarely gets to play there, Cesar Azpilicueta is the best right-back from the combined squads of Chelsea and Liverpool. Nathaniel Clyne almost got the nod after a solid enough start to his Anfield career, but he began to struggle in a more advanced role under Brendan Rodgers which has affected his confidence since.

The England international scored his first Liverpool goal in the midweek when he started at left-back in the cup game against Bournemouth. Working in a back four under Klopp could see him regain confidence and form.

The main reason for Azpilicueta’s inclusion however, is the abysmal form of Branislav Ivanovic. The Serbian was one of the best defenders in the league as recently as last season, but his decline has been dramatic and the road back to good form will be a tough one for him.

#3 Right Centre-back - Kurt Zouma

Centre-back has emerged as a problem position for both sides, which is surprising considering one of them is managed by Mourinho. Right centre-back is especially weak for both, but Zouma edges Gary Cahill because he’s been one of the few Chelsea players who looks like he wants to work through the team’s rough patch, rather than shirk responsibility and go missing.

He’s played numerous positions to aid his side’s cause through this difficult time, and unlike many of his team-mates you can see the French defender being part of any success the club has in the future.

#4 Left Centre-back - Mamadou Sakho

It just so happens that Zouma’s partner in this eleven is also French, meaning that communication between the two would not be a problem in this make-believe eleven. Sakho has finally emerged as the commanding centre back he always promised to be. Under Klopp he’s been given a new lease of life, as well as the added responsibility of being the main man in the back four.

The German manager also likes a defender who can play out from the back, and Sakho fits this mould. Most of his passes are to the feet of an attacking midfielder or another more advanced player - he rarely looks for the simple pass.

Statistically he’s the best passer in the Liverpool side, racking up an average of over 60 passes per game, and a successful pass rate of 91%. The former PSG man gets in ahead of clubmate Dejan Lovren, and Chelsea legend John Terry. The manner in which Sakho is going about his business at the moment means he could one day be to Liverpool, what Terry has been to Chelsea.

#5 Left-back - Alberto Moreno

Like Sakho, Moreno has started to show his talents under Liverpool’s new management.Seeing as Azpilicueta is acting as right-back in this eleven, Baba Rahman is yet to settle in at Chelsea, and José Enrique is - who knows; Moreno was the easy choice.

The Spaniard will be the perfect full-back partner for his countryman Azpilicueta as he motors up and down the left hand side with great speed, directness, and a ceaseless work-rate. His full-blooded attitude and slightly off-the-wall antics in training have endeared him to Klopp, while his all-action performances are ideal for his manager’s high-tempo pressing game.

#6 Central-midfield - Emre Can

Finally playing in his natural position, German international Can has shown glimpses of the promise he’s shown throughout his career in Germany, and in the German national youth sides.

His versatility is sometimes a burden, but when given a run of games in the centre of the park he can become his side’s driving force from deep. His rangy strides through midfield are reminiscent of Yaya Touré, and though he can occasionally run up a blind alley, Can is often the man who’ll take a dull game to the next level.

Were Jordan Henderson fit he might be getting the nod in this position, but Can definitely gets in ahead of the likes of Chelsea’s Ramires and John Obi-Mikel, as well as usurping his team-mate James Milner, who’s yet to prove he’s effective as a central midfielder.

#7 Central-midfield - Oscar

Oscar has always been a more versatile player than he’s given credit for. Even in his early days at Internacional he was intelligent enough to play in any midfield position, and has always been a tactically aware player.

The Brazilian offers the playmaking ability of someone like Cesc Fabregas, but with a bit of added nous and running in defence. He’s a player who’s been stifled somewhat in Chelsea’s system and hasn’t been in the best form of late, but this is the type of change which the club may need to breathe new life into a stagnating team.

Nemanja Matic was one of the best defensive midfielders around last season, but has struggled to reach the same heights so far this time around, while Lucas Leiva’s exclusion means the player who’s enjoying his umpteenth revival at Liverpool can feel harshly done by.

In the not too distant future Ruben Loftus-Cheek would be a shoo-in for this position, but when it’s possible to choose Oscar, choose Oscar.

#8 Right-wing - Pedro

Spanish wing-forward Pedro arrived at Chelsea in search of a club which would give him a key role in the side. At Barcelona he was arguably the most important squad player in football history, scoring important goals at important times as the Catalan giants dominated the world of football.

Under Pep Guardiola - the manager who nurtured him through the lower ranks at the club - he was very much a go-to player in times of need. If he recovers from a knock in time to play against Liverpool, he could well become the player to get José Mourinho’s Chelsea out of their current hole.

Chelsea’s other hard-working but technically gifted right winger Willian wasn’t far off inclusion, but Liverpool’s options on the right - James Milner and Jordon Ibe - were some way behind in this position, despite the teenager Ibe’s impressive performance in the recent league cup game.

#9 Attacking Midfielder - Roberto Firmino

The 2013/14 season was one of the most impressive domestic campaigns in Liverpool’s recent history. It also happened to be the season when Roberto Firmino announced his considerable talent to a wider audience.

Prior to this he was a raw Brazilian talent with all the tools to go far in the game, but one who had gone slightly under the radar at mid table Bundesliga side Hoffenheim. Fast forward to the present day and he’s one of the most expensive signing in Liverpool’s history, and one who fits perfectly with their new manager’s ideas.

He’s included here over Cesc Fabregas and Adam Lallana as he offers more dynamism and presence, whilst also providing the creativity of the pair who miss out.

#10 Left-wing - Eden Hazard

Formerly the best player in the league, and on his day still one of the best players in Europe. Eden Hazard makes this eleven over Philippe Coutinho, winning the battle of the under-performing stars.

Neither have set the league alight so far, but there’s no much doubt that they’re the players who are most likely to make things happen for their respective sides. Chelsea’s young Brazilian Kenedy could have a role in one of these attacking roles in the future, but for now the hope that Hazard can pull a world class moment of genius out of the bag still remains.

The Belgian is often criticised for his lack of work rate and a failure to provide help for his team-mates on the left flank in defence, but when a player possesses the talent he does a few defensive misgivings can be forgiven.

#11 Striker - Diego Costa

In another life Diego Costa would have been the best heel in WWE history. As it is he’s just a striker who’s a defender’s worst nightmare. Even if he’s not at the top of his game technically, he’ll rile defenders all game with his pantomime villain antics, annoying them mentally as much as he niggles them physically.

The forward’s potential as a game-winner was on display in Chelsea’s game against Arsenal earlier in the season, where he managed to provoke a reaction from Gunners centre back Gabriel who was subsequently red-carded.

He did, however, serve a suspension as a result of his actions in that game and he’ll no doubt serve more in the future, but when it comes to choosing a striker for this eleven it’s difficult to look past him.

Costa is technically better than he’s often given credit for, and can also display good movement ahead of his team-mates. With Daniel Sturridge forever injured, the likes of Christian Benteke, Loic Remy, Radamel Falcao, Danny Ings, and Divock Origi would be no more than back-up to the Brazilian turned Spaniard.