Our combined XI from the Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur squads ahead of Sunday’s huge Premier League clash…
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GK) Hugo Lloris
France international goalkeeper Hugo Lloris is one of the finest stoppers in the Premier League, perhaps even the world, and is a much more accomplished performer than his Liverpool counterpart and Belgian Simon Mignolet.
RB) Eric Dier
Neither of these two sides are blessed with the best right backs, with Kyle Walker’s performances for Spurs having fallen off a cliff in the last couple of seasons and Liverpool’s England international Glen Johnson having received a huge amount of criticism for his performances, meaning that new Spurs signing Eric Dier makes it into the team.
CB) Dejan Lovren
Liverpool have spent a huge £20 million on securing the signing of centre back Dejan Lovren from Southampton in an attempt to shore up their leaky defence and is more proven in the Premier League than Tottenham Hotspur’s new £8m man, Federico Fazio, who has joined from Sevilla.
CB) Jan Vertonghen
Tottenham Hotspur’s Belgian international centre back Jan Vertonghen is perhaps the club’s most important player and vital to keeping their defence together. The fact that he was linked with Barcelona this summer shows just how highly rated Vertonghen is on the continent – more so than either Mamadou Sakho or Martin Skrtel.
LB) Alberto Moreno
Another new Liverpool signing, left back Alberto Moreno arrives from Sevilla with a burgeoning reputation and, despite a poor debut against Manchester City, he is likely to have slightly more about him than either of Spurs’ options, Danny Rose and Ben Davies.
RM) Christian Eriksen
Christian Eriksen enjoyed a successful debut season at White Hart Lane, despite the mediocre performances of his teammates, and Spurs fans will be expecting the Danish international to continue improving during the new campaign – he seems to be slightly ahead of Adam Lallana and Lazar Markovic and deserves his place in this XI.
CM) Steven Gerrard
Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard had an exceptional season last year despite his advancing years and, having retired from international duty, will be expecting to remain as a key part of Brendan Rodgers’ outfit this season. His experience would be vital to this combined XI.
CM) Philippe Coutinho
Whilst not strictly an orthodox central midfielder, this is a hypothetical XI, so the silky Brazilian earns his place alongside Steven Gerrard regardless. One of the most pleasing on the eye and creative players in the Premier League, Coutinho is well worth inclusion.
LM) Erik Lamela
Despite a frustrating first season as a Tottenham Hotspur player, there is no doubting the quality that is possessed by Spurs winger Erik Lamela, who has started the season in good form under Mauricio Pochettino. He has the ‘wow factor’ and the ability to be a huge threat for any side.
ST) Mario Balotelli
Liverpool’s new £16m man Mario Balotelli is in line to make his debut against Tottenham on Sunday – and Mauricio Pochettino would probably love to have such a top class attacking performer in his ranks, with Roberto Soldado still misfiring for the whites.
ST) Daniel Sturridge
Daniel Sturridge was only kept away from the Premier League golden boot award by now departed teammate Luis Suarez, having proven himself to be a clinical finisher at the highest level of the game. With Spurs only having an inconsistent array of forward, including Soldado and Emmanuel Adebayor, to choose from – his place is essentially assured.