Liverpool will take on Arsenal in the Premier League on Saturday, August 26. Here’s the best combined XI from the two squads.
The last three matches of Liverpool vs. Arsenal have produced at least four combined goals. Seeing how each club has performed defensively at the start of this season, it would come as no surprise to see yet another high-scoring affair. Both teams have struggled mightily on defensive set pieces, and are similar in quite a few other ways.
Liverpool have won and drawn once on the season, and Arsenal have a win and a loss. With both clubs still tinkering with their lineups and formations, it’s be difficult to predict the outcome. Luckily, we’re not here to do that today. Instead, we’ll be selecting the best combined XI from both clubs.
This XI has been selected only from the players fit and available for selection come Sunday, and we’ll be using a more traditional 4-3-3 lineup. The Gunners have played with a back three for both matches this season, but also switched to a back four when chasing the game, so a 4-3-3 is more suitable.
GK: Petr Cech
Look, I don’t like this any more than you do. If Cech were playing at his usual level, this would be no contest. However, in the two contests thus far, the Arsenal keeper has been directly at fault for one of the goals conceded, and could be partially blamed for another. He’s been shaky, and, at age 35, won’t be improving his play in the future.
When it comes down to Cech or Simon Mignolet, though, the nod has to go to the guy who has proven his superiority. Mignolet may have earned the number one this season, but who knows if that will actually last. When Cech is on his game, he’s better than the Liverpool keeper. That’s not a question.
CBs: Joel Matip, Shkodran Mustafi
If it’s not clear already, defense will not be the strength of this XI. Laurent Koscielny is still a question mark ahead of this contest, or else he would slot in ahead of Mustafi. Per Mertesacker is fit, but hasn’t featured in a match for months. The less said about Dejan Lovren the better.
Basically, these two were the ones who were left. Matip has been solid in the back for Liverpool even without a dependable partner. His performance against Christian Benteke in the last match against Crystal Palace was enough for his inclusion. Mustafi has all of the talent you would want in a center-back, even if he is a bit too reckless at times.
The 4-3-3 shape leaves out Nacho Monreal, who is a victim of Arsene Wenger’s ever rotating back-line. He’d be the first defender on the bench if this fictional team had substitutes.
LB, RB: Andrew Robertson, Hector Bellerin
It may be premature to crown Robertson as the best left back between the two sides, but his performance against Crystal Palace was promising. The former Hull defender has loads of ability, and is a massive threat going forwards, especially whipping in crosses from the left.
Hector Bellerin has also been a victim of Arsenal’s back three formation, as well as Wenger’s insistence on making Alex Oxlade-Chamberlin at right-back a thing. Bellerin has been used as the left wing-back for more minutes than on the right, but that won’t, and shouldn’t, last. The Spaniard is best suited to playing on the right, and is a terror with his speed and attacking ability.
CMs: Emre Can, Aaron Ramsey
This formation is built around a solid center midfield pivot. Both of these players can be box-to-box midfielders, but Can is more defensively sound than Ramsey, and Ramsey more attack-minded than Can. They also have marathon-levels of endurance, and can cover the entire pitch.
Another similarity between the two is that I don’t think they get the praise they deserve. Both unique in their own ways, they are often criticized by their supporters for one reason or another. But it’s obvious that, when both are on form, their respective teams miss something great when they’re not in the starting XI.
Granit Xhaka had a resurgence at the end of the last league year, but has struggled in both Premier League matches this season. Jordan Henderson generally puts in solid performances for his team, but just misses the cut.
CAM: Mesut Ozil
Ozil is the perfect number 10 in a 4-3-3. He can complete passes that other players in his position can’t even see. His ability to drift into open spaces to receive the ball often bails his teammates out of tough positions. He is simply one of the best creators in the Premier League.
Ozil hasn’t shown brightly in the two Premier League contests this season yet, but that has been without his main partner Alexis Sanchez to feed passes to. He’s the clear cut choice here, even if Steven Gerrard thinks he’s a liability. Ozil covers more distance than most of his teammates every match, and without his play-making abilities, Arsenal don’t create nearly as many opportunities.
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LM, RM: Alexis Sanchez, Sadio Mane
Finally, we get to the point of a couple obvious choices. Sanchez is reportedly ready to play against Liverpool on Saturday, and that’s all the push needed to include him. When fit, he’s the first choice on the team sheet every time.
Sadio Mane is electric for Liverpool. His energy and tenacity going forward is what makes Liverpool tick. His willingness to run off the ball and quick passing around the box creates chance after chance. An attacking duo like this would be the most feared in the Premier League.
Striker: Roberto Firmino
Firmino already has a goal and an assist in the Premier League in two matches. His link-up play with his teammates running in behind him is not only fun to watch, but effective as well. In a fluid system, he’s a great option to have as the striker because of his ability to provide multiple different ways of attacking.
Alexandre Lacazette has looked promising in the two matches so far, but has not proven more than Firmino at this early stage in his career, at least, not in the Premier League. His high price tag is flashy, but the Liverpool man has the edge at this point.