Liverpool & Everton’s best combined XI ahead of weekend derby clash.
Liverpool and Everton meet in the Merseyside Derby this weekend as they renew their famous rivalry, but how would the two teams looked merged together?
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The Toffees have strengthened tremendously under Roberto Martinez and, despite a poor start to the season, will surely challenge their local rivals in the race for a top four spot this season, having also finished above them on a number of occasions in recent Premier League history.
In a 4-2-3-1 formation with some difficult decisions, Everton just outnumber Liverpool for players in our combined Merseyside XI…
GK) Tim Howard
Quite simply a better option than Simon Mignolet at the moment, Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard has been superb for the Toffees in recent times, even if things haven’t quite gone their way at the back this season.
DR) Seamus Coleman
At right-back Seamus Coleman has been a terrific find by Everton, developing from an uknown youngster to become one of the best and most consistent full-backs in the Premier League, showing great work at the back as well as going forward.
DL) Leighton Baines
Although Liverpool’s new signing Alberto Moreno looks a great prospect at left-back, he is not currently ahead of Leighton Baines’ level, with the England international always a big player for Everton with his ability going forward, providing superb delivery and quality with that left foot.
DC) Dejan Lovren
A player who looks to be having a bit of a low time adapting to playing for Liverpool, Dejan Lovren should still prove a superb signing for the club after his fine form for Southampton last season made him a high in-demand transfer target for a number of top clubs this summer.
DC) John Stones
One of the most outstanding youngsters in the English game at the moment, Everton’s young centre-back John Stones makes it into our combined XI as he looks like having the potential to become a true Premier League great in years to come.
MC) Steven Gerrard
Liverpool’s captain and inspiration, Steven Gerrard remains one of the best midfielders in the Premier League and perhaps Europe despite nearing the end of his great career. The 34-year-old also has a great goalscoring record in this fixture, and is a man you can rely on on the big occasion.
MC) James McCarthy
A player who seems to improve all the time, Everton midfielder James McCarthy certainly makes a strong case for partnering Steven Gerrard in this Merseyside XI, having become a key player for the Toffees since joining from Wigan Athletic last summer.
AMR) Raheem Sterling
One of the best young attacking players in Europe at the moment and a great long-term prospect for Liverpool and England, Raheem Sterling is an easy choice on the right-hand side here, having established himself as one of his club’s most impotant players in recent times.
AML) Philippe Coutinho
A supremely skillful Brazilian playmaker with a bright future, Liverpool’s Philippe Coutinho takes a spot on the left-hand side here after becoming a superb player for Brendan Rodgers since he joined from Inter Milan in January 2013.
AMC) Ross Barkley
Although capable of playing in a variety of positions, Ross Barkley wins a spot just behind the main striker here after establishing himself as one of English football’s brightest prospects last season. The Everton starlet is a superb talent and the future looks bright for the national team with him and Sterling taking up attacking midfield positions.
FC) Daniel Sturridge
Ahead of both team-mate Mario Balotelli and Everton striker Romelu Lukaku, Liverpool striker Daniell Sturridge is surely the pick of the bunch in a tight contest for the lone place upfront in this side. The England international is a big loss through injury at the moment, having finished runner-up only to Luis Suarez in the Premier League scoring charts last season.
Merseyside XI in full: