Liverpool vs Manchester City – Combined XI | OneFootball

Liverpool and Manchester City lock horns again this afternoon in the latest instalment of a very modern rivalry.

The standout sides in the Premier League in recent seasons, tussles between the two have often had a significant role in the destination of major trophies. Liverpool head into this contest in form and as league leaders, against a City side they are aiming to dethrone.

Ahead of the clash, we’ve picked our Liverpool and Manchester City Combined XI from the players available for selection.

Liverpool vs Manchester City – Combined XI

Goalkeeper: Caoimhin Kelleher – Liverpool

A big call, perhaps, but it’s difficult to look past Caoimhin Kelleher on current form. The Irishman has been so good in recent weeks that it’s largely been forgotten Liverpool are missing Alisson Becker. His penalty save from Kylian Mbappe in midweek was the latest highlight for a goalkeeper who has proven he’s too good to remain a backup for much longer.

He ousts Ederson for the gloves, with the Brazilian culpable for two goals in the collapse against Feyenoord.

Right-back: Trent Alexander-Arnold – Liverpool

Trent Alexander-Arnold’s return is a huge plus for Liverpool, with the right-back’s invention irreplaceable to the Reds. There is no full-back in world football quite like the 26-year-old and his contract situation is a big concern for Arne Slot heading into January.

Centre-back: Ruben Dias – Manchester City

Another player set to return this weekend, City’s struggles of late have coincided with Dias’s absence from the side. The Portugal international is a leader for Pep Guardiola and despite not being at his best so far this season, City look a safer unit when he’s in the team.

Centre-back: Virgil van Dijk – Liverpool

Virgil van Dijk has marshalled the division’s best defence this season with the Liverpool captain still the benchmark for centre-backs. A monster in the air, he led the league for aerial duels won last season and ranks fourth on that metric in 2024/25 to date.

His battle with Erling Haaland will be one of the game’s decisive duels.

Left-back: Josko Gvardiol – Manchester City

A fan favourite at the Etihad, Josko Gvardiol sits as one of the most promising defensive talents in world football. Dependable defensively, physically powerful and a threatening attacking outlet, he has thrived as part of Guardiola’s flexible defensive set-up. He earns the nod over Andy Robertson at left-back, with the latter facing question marks this season. The Scotland captain has conceded penalties in consecutive games.

Midfield: Ryan Gravenberch – Liverpool

Ryan Gravenberch has left last season’s struggles in the rear-view mirror to emerge as one of the surprise packages of the season. Flourishing as the deepest-lying midfield in Arne Slot’s side, his mix of duel-winning and silk in possession have stood out this season. After a fringe role last season, he’s a fixture now.

Midfield: Alexis Mac Allister – Liverpool

Offering creativity and composure to the Liverpool midfield, Mac Allister has emerged as one of the most rounded midfielders in the division at Anfield. The World Cup winner underlined his ability to perform on the biggest stages again in midweek, with a man-of-the-match performance against Real Madrid.

Midfield: Kevin De Bruyne – Manchester City

After being eased back into the side of late, it would be a huge surprise if Kevin De Bruyne is not back in the starting side at Anfield. Still so important to Manchester City, the midfielder’s consistent creation of high-quality chances is difficult to replace. He created 10 goals in 15 league starts last season and now trails only Ryan Giggs for all-time assists in the Premier League.

Right-wing: Mohamed Salah – Liverpool

Perhaps the easiest selection on the team sheet. Salah has shown few signs of slowing down and remains a world-class talent. He’s been arguably the Premier League’s Player of the Season so far, with 10 goals and six assists in 12 games. This is a fixture the Egyptian relishes.

Left-wing: Luis Diaz – Liverpool

Luis Diaz has lifted his game this season under Arne Slot with the Colombian combining trickery and energy with end product. He has seven goals for the campaign, including a hat-trick against Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League. He will be licking his lips up against Kyle Walker this weekend, with the latter having looked off-the-pace of late.

Forward: Erling Haaland – Manchester City

An obvious and easy inclusion. Erling Haaland is a quite ridiculous goalscorer. The Norwegian might not have been at his best of late, but still leads the race for the Premier League’s Golden Boot and has averaged almost a goal-per-game in all competitions.

He’s now scored 107 goals in just 116 games for the Citizens. It’s a frightening return.

Read – Eight moments that defined the Liverpool vs Man City rivalry

See more – Tweets of the Week: Guardiola’s breakdown, Mbappe upended, Bryan’s Gunn

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