Who would be in your ultimate Liverpool-Everton XI…
SEE ALSO: The best managers in world football
Both Liverpool and Everton have already been busy in the transfer market this summer. The Reds have added seven new players thus far, as they look to prepare for both a Premier League title challenge, and a return to Champions League football, while their neighbours have spent big on Romelu Lukaku and made several other shrewd signings.
So CaughtOffside has decided to pit the two Merseyside rivals against each other, with each position going head-to-head to determine which has the better starting XI.
Goalkeeper
Simon Mignolet: The Belgian stopper endured a mixed first season at Anfield, from the high of his penalty save on the opening day to the low of his costly mistake against Manchester City. The jury remains out for now – 6/10.
Tim Howard: The American goalkeeper has been a reliable performer for Everton for several years, and showed his class with his stand-out showing at the World Cup – 8/10.
Right Back
Glen Johnson: The England full-back has draw a high amount of criticism in recent seasons, and it seems that even Liverpool fans are growing tired with the player constantly being caught out of position – 6/10.
Seamus Coleman: The Irish defender, who has been loosely linked with a big money move to Manchester United, is rapidly improving and as a huge Premier League future ahead of him – 7/10.
Left Back
Jose Enrique: After a year out injured, the Spaniard faces a battle to force his way back into the Liverpool team. Jon Flanagan impressed in the position last year, but both could yet be usurped by the incoming Alberto Moreno – 6/10.
Leighton Baines: The England full-back is still one of the best attacking left-backs in the Premier League and, having remained loyal to Everton, will hope to help lead them to big things this season – 8/10.
Centre Back
Martin Skrtel: Was comfortably Liverpool’s most impressive defender last season – scoring goals as well of stopping them. The fearsome Slovakian will fight for his cause until the bitter end – 8/10.
John Stones: The youngster has the potential to become one of the best central defenders in the world, but he is still at an early stage in his development, and needs time to continue progressing – 6/10.
Centre Back
Dejan Lovren: One of the three signings from Southampton, the centre half was one of the most impressive defenders in the Premier League last year, and the Croatian will hope to continue that form in a Liverpool shirt – 8/10.
Phil Jagielka: The club captain is still an excellent player, and one Everton missed sorely during his time out injured last season. He has proved reliably for both club and country – 7/10.
Defensive Midfield
Steven Gerrard: The Liverpool captain made the holding midfield role his own last season, with a countless number of impressive performances. He his still a force to be reckoned with – 9/10.
Gareth Barry: Was impressive with Everton last season, but his aging legs are now another year older, and he offers much less than his countryman Gerrard in the holding midfield role – 6/10.
Centre Midfield
Jordan Henderson: The former Sunderland man developed massively last season, making good on his potential to become a regular for both Liverpool and England – 8/10.
Ross Barkley: This match up is almost too tight to call, but Barkley narrowly gets the nod after a tremendous year for Everton which saw him improve massively, and establish himself as one of the best young midfielders in England- 8/10.
Centre Midfield
Philippe Coutinho: The Brazilian has been at the heart of Brendan Rodgers Liverpool transformation, and just 22-years-old still has plenty of time to develop into a true world class talent – 8/10.
James McCarthy: Steady if not spectacular, the reliable Irishman may not have the flair of Coutinho, but he is a consistent performer for Everton, and has made the step up well after being relegated with Wigan- 7/10.
Attacking Midfield
Raheem Sterling: The extremely gifted young Englishman is now one of the first name’s on the team-sheet for club and country, after proving there is more to his game that just lightning pace – 8/10.
Kevin Mirallas: The Belgian winger was a thorn in Liverpool’s side when the two teams met last season, but does not quite have the raw talent of Sterling, who has the ability to turn a game on its head single handed – 7/10.
Attacking Midfield
Adam Lallana: Liverpool paid Southampton £25m to seal a deal for the England midfielder, and after missing the Reds entire pre-season schedule through injury, he’ll be desperate to grab his chance when it does arrive – 7/10.
Steven Pienaar: The South African may be past his peak, but Everton will be pleased to have him back after his disappointing spell with Tottenham. He is still a reliable performer – 6/10.
Striker
Daniel Sturridge: The England man has the unenviable task of filling Luis Suarez’s boots at Liverpool, but the former Chelsea man has proved he has the ability to do just that during his first 18 months at Anfield- 9/10.
Romelu Lukaku: Everton’s record signing has bags of potential and scorer regularly while on loan with the Toffees last season. But can he continue to succeed after a disappointing World Cup and the criticism of Jose Mourinho – 7/10.
Final Team (4-3-3 formation): Howard; Coleman, Baines, Skrtel, Lovren; Gerrard, Barkley, Coutinho; Sterling, Lallana, Sturridge.
Liverpool: 83/110 Everton: 77/110
SEE ALSO: Most expensive Premier League transfers ever.