Ahead of Sunday’s anticipated first Merseyside Derby of the season, let’s take a look at what a combined lineup of the two teams would look like based on current form and a few other factors.
In a typical 4-3-3 formation, which is the closest to what both teams actually use, the choice in attack is pretty much settled with the Reds’ attacking trio (quartet if you add Coutinho to the mix…).
Goalkeeper: Jordan Pickford.
Both goalkeepers have struggled for form and both have made individual mistakes that have cost their sides. It’s easier to point the finger at the goalkeeper whose team sit 10th in the table and say he’s worse – but Pickford has pulled off a few excellent saves that either made a terrible team look just bad, or made an average team look good.
Defence: Trent Alexander-Arnold, Joe Gomez, Joel Matip, Alberto Moreno.
Both teams have suffered in defence throughout the season, with particular disappointments being Dejan Lovren and summer signing Michael Keane, who has yet to find his feet at Goodison Park despite having already made 20 appearances. It’s hard to pick either under those circumstances.
Joe Gomez’s performances have led to an England call up, while Alexander-Arnold and Moreno have been fixtures in the Liverpool sides, the former doing an excellent job in the Champions League and racking up his first senior goals – while the latter has put in some good performances and cemented his place in the starting 11.
After a season on the bench when James Milner was deployed at left-back, Moreno has managed to crawl his way back into Klopp’s starting 11 and he’s done a good job so far. His contributions in attack have been good yet the defensive side of his game needs improvement, but nevertheless he has improved compared to last season.
Matip has been far from perfect, but his last few games have been good in terms of defensive positioning and general form, something the whole Liverpool back line has lacked.
Midfield: Emre Can, Phillipe Coutinho, Idrissa Gueye
It was difficult to omit Gyfli Sigurdsson and Wayne Rooney – yet the Reds’ midfield has been vibrant of late and not many people would underwrite them. Can has been brilliant in coming up useful at both ends – he’s scored four goals and made two assists so far, yet he’s also done well in terms of tracking back to help the defence out. His stamina is a huge asset to a midfield that generally lacks the ability to hold out for 90 minutes. The same goes to Gueye – with the obvious exception being his contributions up front as his position is primarily a holding midfield position.
There’s not much to say about Coutinho, who’s been outstanding wherever he’s been deployed on the pitch. From his central midfield position in recent games, he’s managed to run defences ragged – that was the same position from which he scored his first hat-trick with the Reds against Spartak Moscow mid-week.
Attack: Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino, Mohamed Salah
No bias intended – but the Liverpool attacking trio is probably the most dangerous in world football right now. Speed, tenacity, versatility, and the list goes on. The trio can swap positions almost at will with their excellent tactical understanding and quick feet. The highlight has been summer signing Mohamed Salah, who currently tops the Premier League scoring charts with 12 goals.
