A player-by-player comparison of the two PL giants.
SEE ALSO: Manchester United XI with Radamel Falcao.
With arguably the two biggest clubs in English football, Liverpool and Manchester United, both among the busiest clubs in Europe in the transfer market this summer, CaughtOffside takes a look at how the two teams compare as the summer transfer window draws to a close.
The two teams have spent roughly £266.2m combined this summer on some truly huge names, with Liverpool desperate to establish themselves at the top of the Premier League again after coming so close to ending their title drought last year, while United are in dire need of strengthening after finishing in 7th last season.
With a number of new signings included, here’s a look at the best players competing for each position for these two great clubs and who comes out on top:
Goalkeeper: David de Gea vs Simon Mignolet
Two strong players in goal for these two sides, with United shot-stopper David dea Gea surely the better of the two, though Mignolet may improve for Liverpool in his second season at the club. Quite simply, the Spaniard is one of the best in the world in his position on his day, and his form could help keep the club in the fight for a top four spot.
Vote: de Gea
SEE ALSO: All the Premier League done deals so far.
Right-back: Antonio Valencia vs Glen Johnson
Although a bit of imagination is needed here in regards to the different formations these two sides play, it seems fair to compare the respective roles of these two players, who are both primarily attack-minded wide-players from defence. Neither are looking terrific on current form, but Johnson is the slightly more well-rounded player on his day and has been an important part of how Liverpool play in recent years.
Vote: Johnson
It’s a little harsh to judge when we’ve seen so little of either player for their new clubs yet, but on the face of it, there’s a clear winner between these two summer signings at left-back. While there’s no doubt Luke Shaw showed plenty of promise at Southampton, United have surely overpaid for him, while Alberto Moreno looks the real deal after arriving for a relative bargain of £12m from Sevilla.
Vote: Moreno
United’s new signing Daley Blind should be confirmed today and looks just the player they need at centre-back. The Dutchman can also fill in a number of other roles, such as left-back, but given the club’s need for signings in the middle it seems likely that’s where he’ll play. If he reaches his best form in the Premier League, he will surely prove a better defender than Liverpool’s error-prone Martin Skrtel.
Vote: Blind
Two more new signings competing for a spot here, and in this case it is surely Liverpool’s signing from Southampton Dejan Lovren who just nicks the second spot at centre-back. Rojo looks a top talent but remains something of an unknown quantity at the top level, while Lovren looked superb for the Saints last season before his £20m move to Anfield.
Vote: Lovren
Although United’s new signing from Athletic Bilbao looks just the player they need to dictate the tempo and improve their passing game in the middle of the park, he is not quite the all-action player that Liverpool’s Steven Gerrard is, even at this age. Despite all the exciting new arrivals, thids long-serving midfielder still gets the nod here as one of the best in the Premier League.
Vote: Gerrard
A tricky comprison again due to formation differences, but Juan Mata’s more central role under Louis van Gaal gives him a similar responsibility to Jordan Henderson’s alongside Steven Gerrard. Both players are among the more attacking players from the centre of midfield, but for all of Henderson’s recent improvement, it is surely the classy Spanish playmaker who gets the nod here.
Vote: Mata
Two of the most exciting youngsters in the Premier League and perhaps Europe at the moment come head-to-head here in the battle of the right-hand flank. Januzaj is arguably the bigger name already after his impressive breakthrough season for United, but Raheem Sterling’s recent form surely puts him ahead of his rival at this moment in time.
Vote: Sterling
Left midfield: Angel Di Maria vs Philippe Coutinho
Two superbly skillful and creative players who like to drift in from the flanks, United and Liverpool are truly blessed with amazing talent in this position. While Liverpool’s Brazilian starlet is certainly a top youngster with a bright future, Di Maria is definitely the real deal at the moment and seems an easy pick here after his superb contribution to Real Madrid’s success in recent years.
Vote: Di Maria
Striker: Wayne Rooney vs Daniel Sturridge
With Robin van Persie set for surgery then it perhaps seems fairer to include club captain Wayne Rooney in this comparison battle, and based on recent form he would struggle to come out on top of his England international colleague Daniel Sturridge, who has been an asbolute revelation for Liverpool since he joined from Chelsea in January 2013, possessing all the skill, flair and deadly finishing of any world class centre-forward.
Vote: Sturridge
In the battle for the final spot, two superbly exciting summer signings come up against each other for a place upfront. While both are surely set to be superb additions to the Premier League, United new-boy Radamel Falcao is arguably closer to the ‘world class’ bracket at the moment after his achievements in his career so far. Balotelli has terrific potential but remains a gamble due to his attitude and disciplinary problems, which see him just miss out here.
Vote: Falcao
SEE ALSO: Manchester United XI with Angel di Maria.