Liverpool vs Man City combined XI: Who makes the cut ahead of Premier League showdown? | OneFootball

Although it is no longer Pep Guardiola vs Jurgen Klopp, this is still a heavyweight clash. THE heavyweight clash, even if Arsenal had been Man City’s closest challengers for the title in the past two seasons.

This year, there might not be a title race. It could be over this weekend. Liverpool are currently eight points clear of Man City at the top of the table. An 11-point gap could be too much, even for this Man City machine.

Of course, people love to compare players in modern football. Combined XIs are also a favourite, particularly for big clashes such as this.

So, we’ve used the Squawka Score to pick our Liverpool vs Man City combined XI, using the best player from each position — that will be available to feature this weekend.

GK: Caoimhin Kelleher

Caoimhin Kelleher continues to prove he is too good to be a backup goalkeeper. He saved Kylian Mbappe’s penalty in the Champions League in midweek, after also stopping Adam Armstrong’s spot-kick last weekend (though the Southampton man did net the rebound). The Irishman has averaged 0.19 goals prevented per 90 minutes in the Premier League this season, and 3 saves. His average of smothers — when a goalkeeper successfully takes possession by diving down to collect a loose ball that a striker is chasing — is 0.33, among the 95th percentile of goalkeepers.

RB: Trent Alexander-Arnold

There is only one right-back in the Premier League currently better than Trent Alexander-Arnold per the Squawka Score. But that right-back doesn’t play for Man City. Alexander-Arnold has averaged 0.31 xA per 90 in the Premier League this season, the most of any right-back with at least 540 minutes played. The Englishman also comes out on top for successful passes into the penalty area at 1.44 per 90, and big chances created on 0.62. But don’t let anyone tell you he can’t defend. Alexander-Arnold has averaged 2.48 tackles won per 90 in the league, the most among right-backs with at least 540 minutes played.

CB: Ruben Dias

Ibrahima Konate has a Squawka Score of 70% so would have been in this team until he suffered an injury in midweek. That has allowed Man City their first representative in Ruben Dias. The Portuguese centre-back has had his own injury issues at time, but Man City’s defence has been struggling without him. Dias has lost just 0.12 challenges per 90 in the Premier League this season, with Man City conceding 0.99 goals per 90 while he has been on the pitch. Of course, Dias is a solid passer, averaging 8.31 passes into the opposition half completed per 90.

CB: Virgil van Dijk

It was never going to be anyone else. There are no centre-backs with a higher Squawka Score than Virgil van Dijk’s 75% so far this season. The Dutchman has been a very good passer for Liverpool this season, averaging 11.92 passes into the opposition half completed per 90, the most of any centre-back with at least 540 minutes played. He has also lost just 0.17 challenges, making 1.93 interceptions retaining possession. Van Dijk is solid in the air as always, averaging 3.33 aerial duels won per 90 with a 72.73% success rate.

LB: Andrew Robertson

This one was extremely close, with Josko Gvardiol’s Squawka Score at 70%. But Andrew Robertson is part of the best defence in the Premier League right now. The Scottish left-back has averaged 0.16 xA per 90 in the Premier League this season, with 4.24 passes into the final third completed per 90 and 0.32 big chances created. Defensively, with Robertson on the pitch Liverpool have faced 0.93 xG conceded pr 90, and he’s also chipped in with a last man tackle.

DM: Ryan Gravenberch

Ryan Gravenberch could genuinely be in contention for Player of the Season if he builds on his current form. The Dutchman is the best defensive midfielder in the Premier League right now, thriving in this new role slightly deeper. Gravenberch has averaged 1.92 interceptions retaining possession per 90 in the Premier League this season, in the top five among midfielders with at least 540 minutes played. He has a retention rate of 88.09%, has completed 88.95% of his open play passes and just 0.33 dispossessions per 90.

CM: Kevin De Bruyne

Kevin De Bruyne has suffered with injuries this season, but he remains a top quality midfielder. And Man City will need him this weekend. The Belgian has averaged 0.23 goals from open play and 0.23 intentional assists per 90 in the Premier League this season, as well as 4.63 successful passes into the penalty area. Although De Bruyne is definitely not a defensive player, he has also won 1.39 possessions in the attacking third per 90, placing him in the 95th percentile for central midfielders.

CM: Curtis Jones

Curtis Jones has certainly grown at Liverpool, and he’s currently enjoying his best run in the team so far. The Englishman has completed 88.14% of his forward passes so far this season, completing 3.82 of his passes into the final third per 90. He’s made 0.19 interceptions in the box per 90 and won 5.35 duels. Jones has made it tough to replace him in the Liverpool midfield.

RW: Mohamed Salah

Anybody surprised? Mohamed Salah is having a fantastic season, one of the best players in the Premier League right now. In terms of goal contributions, the Egyptian has averaged 0.85 goals per 90 in the Premier League, with 0.43 intentional assists. He’s averaged 2.13 shots on target per 90 with a non-penalty xGOT of 0.65 per 90. No player with at least 540 minutes has averaged more touches in the opposition box per 90 than Salah’s 9.9. He’s proving tough to stop right now.

ST: Erling Haaland

He’s on a bit of a drought, but Erling Haaland is still the best striker in the Premier League, averaging 1 goal per 90 minutes. Or 12 in 12 if you want to take it at base level. Those goals have come from a non-penalty xG of 0.92, with Erling Haaland having a shot placement ratio of 1.07. That’s the ratio of expected goals to expected goals on targets. The higher the ratio, the better your shot placement is, the better your finishing is. Despite a lot of criticism about his lack of involvement in games, Haaland has still averaged 7.92 touches in the opposition box per 90 this season. He’s also averaged 3.5 non-penalty shots on target per 90.

LW: Luis Diaz

Luis Diaz has been another strong player for Liverpool this season. The Colombian has been reliable on the left wing for Arne Slot, even when having to come on as a substitute. Diaz has averaged 0.66 goals and 0.26 intentional assists per 90 in the Premier League this season, from 0.56 non-penalty xGOT and 0.18 xA per 90. All of his goals have come from open play too. Diaz has averaged 7.28 touches in the opposition box per 90, with just 0.26 offsides.

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