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Premier League | Gameweek 17
Dec 16, 2018 at 4pm UK
 
Manchester United logo

3-1

Mane (24'), Shaqiri (73', 80')
FT(HT: 1-1)
Lingard (33')

Combined XI: Liverpool vs. Manchester United

Ahead of Sunday's Premier League showdown between Liverpool and Manchester United, Sports Mole selects its combined XI from both squads.

English football's biggest rivalry will enter its latest chapter on Sunday when Liverpool welcome Manchester United to Anfield.

The Reds know that victory will take them back to the top of the table, while they are also currently on their joint-longest unbeaten run in the Premier League era and so could make another slice of history this weekend.

However, for all of their success this season it is now eight matches since they beat United in the league and Jose Mourinho would relish the chance to dent Liverpool's title hopes in their own back yard.

Here, Sports Mole selects its combined XI from the two squads, using only players available for this weekend's clash.



Combined XI: LIV vs. MNU© Reuters

Liverpool go into this match sitting 16 points clear of their opponents in the table, so it is no surprise to see Jurgen Klopp's side dominate this XI.

Arguably the most contentious position is the goalkeeper, where there is intense competition between David de Gea and Alisson Becker. De Gea has for some time been an almost automatic pick having been United's outstanding performer of the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era, but this season Alisson has outperformed the Spaniard and played a huge role in turning Liverpool into title contenders.

At the back the main headache comes from injuries, but a clean sheet for Liverpool would see them set a new English top-flight record for fewest goals conceded after 17 games, whereas United are already only two goals short of the entire total they conceded last season.

Trent Alexander-Arnold is a doubt for this match but has an outside chance of featuring and so beats Ashley Young to a place at right-back, while even the much-maligned Dejan Lovren earns a spot above any of the United centre-backs in the absence of the injured Joe Gomez.

Virgil van Dijk's presence has transformed Liverpool into a fearsome defensive outfit, while Andrew Robertson completes an all-Liverpool back five ahead of Luke Shaw, who is a doubt for the game.

United's sole representative in the team comes in midfield as Paul Pogba narrowly beats the likes of Naby Keita, Jordan Henderson and Fabinho to a place alongside Georginio Wijnaldum and the evergreen James Milner in the trio.

Liverpool's front three have not won the plaudits they did last season so far this term, but United's own attackers have struggled to an even greater extent and so it is a fairly easy choice for Liverpool to enjoy a clean sweep in attack too.

Mohamed Salah has scored the first goal in a game on a league-high seven occasions this term - not to mention an unparalleled six winners - while Roberto Firmino's patchy form is still enough to earn a place ahead of Romelu Lukaku and Sadio Mane edges out Anthony Martial.

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Barney Corkhill
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Joel Matip in action for Liverpool in pre-season on July 19, 2018
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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool14112129111835
2Chelsea1594235181731
3Arsenal1585229151429
4Manchester CityMan City158342721627
5Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest157441918125
6Aston Villa157442323025
7Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton156632522324
8Bournemouth157352320324
9Brentford157263128323
10Fulham156542220223
11Tottenham HotspurSpurs1562731191220
12Newcastle UnitedNewcastle155551921-220
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd155461918119
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham155372028-818
15Everton143561421-714
16Leicester CityLeicester153572130-914
17Crystal Palace152761420-613
18Ipswich TownIpswich151681427-139
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1523102338-159
20Southampton1512121131-205


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