Our combined XI from the Liverpool and Manchester City squads ahead of Monday night’s crunch Premier League game…
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GK) Joe Hart
Manchester City and England goalkeeper Joe Hart edges out Simon Mignolet, with the Belgian not quite conveying the same level of security to his defence as the former Shrewsbury Town man is between the sticks for City, despite the occasion lapse in judgement.
RB) Pablo Zabaleta
City right back Pablo Zabaleta is perhaps the finest player in his position in the Premier League, if not the world, after a number of years of solid displays at Eastlands. He is a comfortable pick in this position, ahead of Glen Johnson, who has often been criticised for his defensive displays, and young duo Jon Flanagan and Javier Manquillo.
CB) Dejan Lovren
New Liverpool centre back Dejan Lovren makes it into the side, with the Croatian international having been brought to Anfield to shore up the Reds’ shaky defence and being more proven in the Premier League than big money Manchester City signing Eliaquim Mangala or the experienced but shaky Martin Demichelis.
CB) Vincent Kompany
Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany is almost an automatic pick in central defence, with the City captain possibly having been the finest Premier League defender of recent years. He is certainly ahead of the likes of Martin Skrtel and Mamadou Sakho in terms of solidity.
LB) Gael Clichy
Former Arsenal left back Clichy is a model of consistency at left back for City, edging out his more adventurous teammate Alexander Kolarov and Liverpool’s unproven new signing Alberto Moreno, who could make his debut against City after signing from La Liga side Sevilla.
CM) Steven Gerrard
The Liverpool captain and long-serving stalwart is into his twilight years, but his performances from a deep-lying central midfield position last season were excellent, allowing him to dictate games in a manner that Man City counterparts Fernandinho and Fernando are not capable of.
CM) Yaya Toure
Another almost automatic pick in the side is Manchester City’s Ivory Coast international midfielder Yaya Toure, who was the Premier League’s highest scoring midfield player last season – his driving runs from the centre are incredible hard for the opposition to deal with and he offers far more than Jordan Henderson or Joe Allen, despite their neatness.
ACM) Philippe Coutinho
Perhaps one of the Premier League’s most underrated creative talents, Brazilian schemer Philippe Coutinho laid on a number of Daniel Sturridge and Luis Suarez’s goals last season, with his mercurial flair edging him into the side ahead of teammate Adam Lallana and City star Samir Nasri.
ACM) David Silva
Possibly the most creative player in the Premier League, Spanish international David Silva is an automatic pick in the team, having become a mainstay of the City side who have been so successful over recent years – success that the likes of Lazar Markovic and Adam Lallana will be hoping to emulate at Liverpool.
SC) Sergio Aguero
Argentina international Sergio Aguero is already a City legend for the goal that won the Premier League title against Queens Park Rangers in 2012, but he is also a superb footballer, with his electric pace and finishing ability making him an incredibly difficult customer to deal with.
SC) Daniel Sturridge
It is last season’s goalscoring exploits by Daniel Sturridge that earn him a place in this side ahead of either Edin Dzeko or Alvaro Negredo, with only now departed teammate Luis Suarez keeping the England international from earning a place as the 2013/14 Premier League top goalscorer.