Manchester City and Liverpool go head-to-head at the Etihad this lunchtime in one of the most eagerly-awaited matches of the Premier League season so far. They occupy the top two places in the table ahead of the 13th game week of the campaign. Express Sport picks a combined XI from both the star-studded squads.
Goalkeeper – Alisson
Brazil duo Alisson and Ederson are competing at international level as well as the domestic scene. Ederson has seemingly had the edge over his team-mate in recent months.
He started Brazil’s previous six matches before the defeat to Colombia last week, when Alisson was drafted back in. Ederson is without doubt the better goalkeeper with his feet.
But Alisson is arguably more important to Liverpool than Ederson is to City. He won the Reds’ Player of the Season and his form this term just gives him the edge.
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Defence – Walker, Dias, Van Dijk, Robertson
Kyle Walker was strongly linked with a move away from City in the summer. However, he wanted to stay and he has returned to his best form this season to keep Trent Alexander-Arnold out of this side.
City often change who plays at left-back, with Nathan Ake and Josko Gvardiol largely sharing the duties. Andy Robertson, despite his long-term injury, earns his place on the left of defence.
Virgil van Dijk has also got somewhere near his best after a difficult couple of years. He is partnered at the back by Ruben Dias, although Ibrahima Konate and Manuel Akanki have impressed this season.
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Midfield – De Bruyne, Rodri, Bernardo
There is a City clean sweep in midfield. Kevin De Bruyne may have missed almost the entirety of the season so far with injury but, when fit, gets into any team in world football.
Rodri is arguably the best holding midfielder in Europe. His influence on the City side was felt when they lost two of the three games he missed through suspension.
Liverpool have an exciting new midfield with the likes of Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister. But the form of Bernardo Silva has made it impossible for him to be left out of this XI.
Attack – Salah, Haaland, Foden
Two of the easiest picks are in attack. Erling Haaland has again started the season on fire, with 13 goals in 12 matches.
Mohamed Salah is second on the goalscoring charts with 10 to his name. Picking the third player in attack proved more tricky.
Jeremy Doku, Darwin Nunez and Diogo Jota have all had good individual starts to the season. But Phil Foden has to get in the team somewhere and he also keeps his City and England team-mate Jack Grealish out of the side.
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