Liverpool host Chelsea at Anfield on Wednesday night in the Premier League. Ahead of the action, we at SportsLens have chosen our combined Liverpool Vs Chelsea XI. Read on to find out more!
Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool are flying high at the top of the Premier League.
They have lost just once all season and are through to the League Cup final after dispatching Fulham 3-2 on aggregate in the semis.
With the Reds also still in the FA Cup and Champions League, the quadruple is still on – for now at least.
Chelsea meanwhile will be Liverpool’s opponents at Wembley, after they too made the Carabao Cup final.
In the league, it’s a different story though. Mauricio Pochettino’s side are languishing in ninth place, 17 points adrift of the league leaders.
In their last meeting, the two sides drew 1-1 at Stamford Bridge in August.
Liverpool Vs Chelsea Combined XI
In order to pick our Liverpool Vs Chelsea combined XI ahead of Wednesday’s Premier League clash, we at SportsLens have identified the 4-3-3 formation as the most suitable to fit in the best players from both sides.
We are also not selecting players who are currently injured or unavailable, which explains a few absentees.
Goalkeeper
Alisson Becker – Liverpool
Liverpool keeper Alisson is an easy choice in goal. With seven clean sheets from 19 games, he’s been crucial in helping the Reds to the top of the table.
On form, the Brazilian is one of the top keepers in world football, and well deserving of a place in our combined XI.
Defenders
Trent Alexander-Arnold – Liverpool
Joining Alisson is another easy Liverpool pick. Trent has been back to his best this season, providing four assists and two goals in the league so far.
Another top class player, Alexander-Arnold is a safe bet at right back for us.
Virgil Van Dijk – Liverpool
One of Jurgen Klopp’s key men for many years, Virgil van Dijk is once again dominating for Liverpool.
The Dutchman has been integral for Liverpool’s defence, and also popped up with a goal and two assists from the back.
Thiago Silva – Chelsea
Partnering VVD in the heart of our defence is our first Chelsea selection. Veteran Thiago Silva is still dropping world-class performances despite being 39 years old.
The Brazilian has played 90 minutes in all but two of Chelsea’s league games this season. He’s also had a hand in five clean sheets for the Blues.
Andrew Robertson – Liverpool
Finally back from injury, we couldn’t leave out the Scotland captain. Liverpool’s Andy Robertson has played just eight games in the Premier League this year, but when fit he walks into most teams.
He made his long-awaited return from a shoulder injury after being named on the bench against Fulham at the weekend.
Now back and raring to go, he takes the starting left-back jersey for our combined team.
Midfielders
Conor Gallagher – Chelsea
Moving into midfield, we start with a Chelsea man who’s been a shining light amidst a difficult season.
Popping up with five assists, he’s been creative from midfield, while helping out with five clean sheets so far.
The former Crystal Palace man has played 20 times in the League for Mauricio Pochettino this campaign.
Enzo Fernandez – Chelsea
Joining Gallagher in midfield is Chelsea teammate, Enzo Fernandez. The Argentine arrived for £106.8 million in January last year, a club record fee.
Although yet to live up to his outrageous price tag, he’s done well so far this season.
The 23-year-old does benefit from Dominik Szoboszlai’s hamstring problem however, as the Hungarian would have made it in ahead of Fernandez if he was definitely fit.
Cole Palmer – Chelsea
And rounding out our midfield trio is another Chelsea star. Cole Palmer has been phenomenal since arriving at Stamford Bridge.
The Manchester City youth star left his boyhood club and has kicked on superbly. This season, he tops Chelsea’s Premier League Goal charts with nine, and also has five assists.
Palmer slots into an attacking midfield role, linking up with our front three.
Forwards
Raheem Sterling – Chelsea
On the right wing is a man who’s payed for both Liverpool and Chelsea. Raheem Sterling took a while to get going since leaving Manchester City, but now appears back to form.
With five goals and seven assists in 19 matches, Sterling’s Premier League contribution has been significant.
Although usually a left-sided forward, he can play either wing, so shifts to the right to fill the void left my Mohamed Salah.
As the Egyptian superstar is both involved with AFCON 2023 and nursing an injury, he’s not selected in our combined XI on two counts.
Diogo Jota – Liverpool
On the left wing is Liverpool’s Diogo Jota. The Portuguese has been in great form so far, netting seven goals and five assists from only nine league starts.
Averaging a goal involvement every 63 minutes, Jota is well deserving of a spot in this team.
Darwin Nunez – Liverpool
Finishing off this Liverpool Vs Chelsea Combine XI is Darwin Nunez. The Uruguayan has 11 goals and ten assists in all competitions for Liverpool this season.
He will lead the line for us, with Chelsea’s Nicholas Jackson away at AFCON, though Nunez would still have been given the shirt.
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