We’ve picked out our Liverpool and West Ham combined team ahead of the two sides battling it out at Anfield this week.
Wednesday night sees Liverpool host West Ham in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals – with a place in the last four at stake.
Ahead of the clash, we have chosen a combined team made up of players from both sides. While it’s just our opinion, we have tried to be as fair as possible, using the stats to settle any close calls.
The lineup is also based only on players currently fit and available, which explains one or two absentees. As for a formation, we have opted for a 4-3-3 as the best shape to suit our chosen squad.
Liverpool And West Ham Combined XI
Goalkeeper
Allison Becker (Liverpool)
Not much of a debate here to start us off. Allison has been one of the top goalkeepers in the world for some years. Returning to the squad against Crystal Palace after injury, he’s already got five clean sheets this campaign.
West Ham’s Alphonse Areola is a solid keeper, but simply doesn’t match up to Allison when the Brazilian is on form.
Defenders
Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool)
Starting off the defence is right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold. A much more closely run contest here, Trent has two goals and three assists, while West Ham’s Vladimír Coufal has five assists, meaning there’s not much to choose between the two in terms of goal involvements.
But with Alexander-Arnold managing his tally in three games less, we think he just about edges a tight battle for the right-back shirt. Both options can sometimes be exposed defensively, which is why our centre-back pairing will be expected to get them out of trouble.
Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)
Another obvious choice, Virgil van Dijk at his best is one of the top defenders on the planet. The Dutch captain may not be quite at the levels he’s reached in the past, but is still a world class option.
Van Dijk has played every minute in the Premier League since returning from a red card he picked up against Newcastle in August.
Ibrahima Konate (Liverpool)
Partnering VVD at the back is another of Jurgen Klopp’s men. Frenchman Ibrahima Konate has stepped into the Liverpool lineup since Joel Matip’s season-ending ACL injury against Fulham.
Konate has been solid when he’s played and earned his place in our squad. With just one clean sheet in 15 games, West Ham’s Kurt Zouma misses out.
Emerson Palmieri (West Ham)
One West Ham man who does make the team is Emerson Palmieri. With Andy Robertson out injured, there’s a place open at left-back in what would otherwise be an all-Liverpool back four.
Konstantinos Tsimikas has deputised for the Reds in Robertson’s absence, but we’ve opted for the Brazilian Emerson over him on this occasion.
Midfielders
Lucas Paqueta (West Ham)
Moving into midfield, we start with another Brazilian – Lucas Paqueta. One of the most influential men in David Moyes’ squad, Paqueta has 10 goals and 11 assists for West Ham since arriving last season.
Constantly involved in everything his side creates, Paqueta is at the heart of West Ham’s midfield and makes it in ahead of the injured Thiago of Liverpool.
Edson Alvarez (West Ham)
Next up is Edson Alvarez. The Mexican international arrived in the summer from Eredivise side Ajax for a fee of £35 million and has been another superb signing for David Moyes.
He highlighted his importance by scoring his first goal for the club – along with an assist – as West Ham beat Freiburg last week to reach the Europa League knockouts.
Dominik Szoboszlai (Liverpool)
Another new arrival this summer, Liverpool’s Dominik Szoboszlai completes our midfield. The 23-year-old Hungarian international already has ten goals in 38 caps for his country, and has made a good start to his Premier League career.
He commanded a hefty fee of £60 million when he joined from Bundesliga side RB Leipzig, but has begun to justify his price tag.
Attackers
Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
The first member of our potent attacking trio is Liverpool’s 200-goal winger, Mo Salah. The Egyptian King has written himself into Anfield folklore during his seven years on Merseyside, and now has 150 Premier League goals.
With 11 of those coming in just 17 matches this season, it’s a no-brainer to put Salah in almost any combined team imaginable.
Jarrod Bowen (West Ham)
One of West Ham’s most important players for several years now, Bowen walks into this lineup. The England international already has 11 goals and four assists for West Ham this campaign, and is a shoe in on the flanks for our side.
Mohammed Kudus (West Ham)
Rounding off our combined XI is Ghanaian forward Mohammed Kudus. The Irons front man has been in fine form the the London club with 12 goals in 24 appearances this season.
Kudus gets in ahead of Liverpool counterpart Darwin Nunez, with the Uruguayan striker managing just seven goals in his 24 matches.
Nunez does have the advantage on assists, with seven to Kudus’ two, but with Bowen and Salah in the side we’ve opted for end product over creativity from our striker.
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