Amid a Premier League weekend of promisingly competitive, yet somewhat unspectacular games, Liverpool vs. Tottenham Hotspur sticks out like a sore thumb – which is why it’s our Fixture in Focus here at Football FanCast.
Indeed, the Reds and the Lilywhites are separated by just four points and four places in the Premier League table and share an energetic style of football that suggests an enthralling encounter awaits when the two sides meet at 5.30pm on Saturday.
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In addition to similar philosophies, both sides boast a similar calibre of player; no out-and-out superstars, yet talented individuals who work incredibly effectively as a team.
With that in mind, it only seemed logical to imagine what would happen if both sides joined forces – who’d make it into an incredibly competitive starting XI, and who’d, unfortunately, miss out.
Well, imagine no more because FootballFanCast have created a combined XI entirely composed of Spurs and Liverpool stars. Do you agree with our choices? Let us know in the comments section below…
GK: Hugo Lloris
Goalkeeper was probably the easiest choice in this combined XI. Whilst even Jurgen Klopp doesn’t seem too sure whose Liverpool’s best goalkeeper actually is, fluctuating between Loris Karius and Simon Mignolet throughout the campaign, Tottenham No.1 Hugo Lloris surpasses the error-prone duo by quite some distance.
Since moving to White Hart Lane, the France skipper has established himself as one of the best shot-stoppers in the business and whilst he’s not exactly immune to mistakes, many of his saves in a Spurs jersey have been nothing short of world-class.
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RB: Kyle Walker
A battle of two dynamic and industrious England internationals but much like within the Three Lions set-up, Kyle Walker just gets the nod. Nathaniel Clyne is a consistent performer and arguably the better defender, but Walker’s influence going forward this season has been phenomenal, racking up five assists in 23 Premier League appearances and making himself a penetrative focal point of his side’s attack.
It’s hard to find a better attacking full-back in Europe at the moment.
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CB: Joel Matip
Liverpool may not be the best defensively but Joel Matip has improved a Reds’ backline that conceded so many sloppy goals last season. Aged 25 and acquired on a free transfer, the Cameroonian is looking like a real steal, combining a 6ft. 4″ frame with the ability to play at the back, and Liverpool unquestionably suffered during his AFCON (or should that be non-AFCON) absence. Jurgen Klopp’s defence looks set for another shake-up this summer, but Matip will undoubtedly keep his place.
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CB: Toby Alderweireld
Injuries have limited Toby Alderweireld’s capacity to perform at the same level as last season but on his day, the Belgium international is unquestionably one of the best centre-backs in the Premier League. Indeed, the Spurs stopper seems to have a bit of everything; positional awareness, strength, aggression, aerial prowess, quality on the ball and perhaps most significantly of all, composure. That latter trait is what sets him apart from Premier League colleagues and earns him a spot in this combined XI.
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LB: Danny Rose
Although James Milner has performed far beyond expectations in his new left-back role this season, no No.3 has come close to matching Danny Rose’s efforts in the Premier League this term. Much like Walker on the opposite flank, the England international is tenacious, relentlessly energetic and a real threat going forward, with two goals and two assists in 18 top-flight outings this term. He also has the inevitable advantage of being a more natural defender than Milner – this combined XI needs some sturdiness behind an incredibly exciting attack.
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CDM: Victor Wanyama
Speaking of sturdiness, they don’t get much sturdier than Victor Wanyama – one of the unquestionable factors in Tottenham boasting the fewest goals conceded in the Premier League this term and the fewest losses after 24 games.
Although Spurs have always been resolute at the back under Mauricio Pochettino, the Kenyan’s protection just in front has added a new, physical and combative element to their spine and Wanyama showed how pivotal that can be in the 2-1 victory over Chelsea, effectively contesting N’Golo Kante and Nemanja Matic.
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CM: Adam Lallana
Although he’s been utilised more offensively recently, Adam Lallana’s best performances of the campaign have undoubtedly come in central midfield as a playmaking No.8. Indeed, the advanced engine room role has seen him bag seven goals and seven assists in the Premier League this term, whilst his tenacity and ability to press has been equally vital to the Liverpool cause. A key player for the Reds but also one who’d suit Mauricio Pochettino’s high-octane style, the England international inevitably commands a place in this select XI.
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CM: Dele Alli
Alongside Lallana in an overtly offensive central midfield area is Dele Alli – once again, a creative, roaming and forward-thinking No.8. After starting the campaign poorly, the England ace has come to life over the last few months and now boasts eleven Premier League goals for the campaign, alongside two assists. Whilst he’s seemingly being pushed further and further forward by Pochettino, the 20-year-old’s ability to time his runs into the box perfectly make him a goalscoring threat from any position in the middle-to-final third.
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RW: Sadio Mane
If Spurs have one weakness, it’s their lack of pace in wide areas. That’s where Liverpool’s summer signing Sadio Mane comes in. The Reds’ inability to stretch opposition defences in his absence highlighted how important a player he’s become in just a matter of months on Merseyside, but he’s also the Anfield outfit’s top scorer in the Premier League this season with nine goals from 21 outings. Since returning from AFCON, however, the Senegal international hasn’t quite produced the direct, driving dribbling game we’ve come to expect of him.
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LW: Philippe Coutinho
The jewel in Liverpool’s crown, Philippe Coutinho has increased the army convinced he’s destined for great things with every passing season at Anfield. Now aged 24, the attacking-midfielder-come-wide-forward has amassed 26 goals in 123 outings for the Reds – many being match-winning strikes from long range – and is taking on increasing responsibility within the starting line-up. An out-of-sorts Coutinho can be frustrating, wasting efforts from outside the box, but when the Brazilian’s in top form he’s virtually unstoppable.
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ST: Harry Kane
Much like at the other end of the pitch, there was only one serious option when it came to choosing a striker for this select XI. Although equally talented, Daniel Sturridge just isn’t enjoying life under Jurgen Klopp, whilst Divock Origi is still very much a diamond in the rough and Roberto Firmino is more of a deep-lying forward than an out-and-out goalscorer.
Harry Kane, on the other hand, already appears destined for the Premier League’s 100-club, boasting 63 top-flight strikes at just 23, including 14 already this season. A hardworking forward yet an exceptionally accurate shooter, pretty much every manager in the Premier League would love to get their hands on the England international.
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