The Merseyside derby is one of the most highly anticipated games across world football, despite perhaps being slightly more one-sided in recent history than it has been for a long time.
The Reds have lost just once in the last 26 meetings between the two sides (12 draws 13 wins), and while they challenged for the title last season, their Merseyside rivals only escaped relegation with a game to go.
But, after a summer of spending on either side, and both sides making poor starts to their campaigns, this meeting could have more riding on it than simply pride. The Toffees are still looking for their first win of the season, while should Liverpool lose and results go against them, they could find themselves 10 points off the pace after just six games.
With that in mind, 101 have taken a look at what a team would look like if you merged the two squads together. Would any Everton players make the cut? Find out below.
*This side is based on players that are fit for the game.
📰 Table Of Contents
- 1 GK: Alisson
- 2 RB: Trent Alexander-Arnold
- 3 CB: Virgil Van Dijk
- 4 CB: James Tarkowski
- 5 LB: Andy Robertson
- 6 CDM: Fabinho
- 7 CM: Harvey Elliot
- 8 CM: Amadou Onana
- 9 RW: Mo Salah
- 10 ST: Roberto Firmino
- 11 LW: Luis Diaz
- 12 Everton vs Liverpool betting tips: Premier League preview, predictions and odds
- 13 Chelsea v West Ham betting tips: Premier League preview, prediction and odds
GK: Alisson
The first major call comes between the sticks, with Jordan Pickford in fine form despite his side struggling so far this season. However, Alisson has not really put a foot wrong this season, and his form last season gives him the nod over the Englishman in this side.
RB: Trent Alexander-Arnold
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CB: Virgil Van Dijk
Virgil van Dijk has not started the season brilliantly, but is still head and shoulders above the rest of the defenders on offer in either squad, with the Dutchman at his imposing best a key reason for Liverpool’s sustained success.
CB: James Tarkowski
Given the state of play with injuries at Liverpool, this position was a toss-up between Joe Gomez and Everton new boy James Tarkowski. Liverpool look far less solid at the back than usual with Gomez in the side, while Tarkowski has proven season after season that he is one of the best defenders in the Premier League. Advantage: Everton.
LB: Andy Robertson
Despite his poor start to the season, Robertson still stands head and shoulders above his competitors across the river Mersey, with the Scot considered one of the best defenders in the division and with the statistics to back that claim up.
CDM: Fabinho
The glue that holds the Liverpool side together, Brazilian midfielder Fabinho was a must-include in this side too, with his ability to win and progress the ball up there with the best in the Premier League.
CM: Harvey Elliot
Bouncing back from a broken leg sustained last season, Harvey Elliot has been among Liverpool’s best performers so far this season, and his youthful energy is a welcome change from the older, more stale options currently available to Jurgen Klopp.
CM: Amadou Onana
The second Everton player to make the combined XI, this one too is a result of injuries in the Reds engine room. All of Naby Keita, Thiago, Jordan Henderson and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain are sidelined, while Arthur Melo will not be registered in time to play.
As a result, we look across to the blue side of Liverpool, and new signing Amadou Onana is the standout option from Frank Lampard’s side. Still only 21 year’s old, his athleticism and desire to get into the final third has caught the eye already this season.
RW: Mo Salah
Despite his slow start to the season, there can be no doubting the quality of Mo Salah, whose three goals is already more than anyone in the Everton side this season.
The Egyptian may have been left well behind in the race for the golden boot, but his inclusion in this side was inevitable.
ST: Roberto Firmino
Darwin Nunez returns from suspension for Liverpool in this lunchtime kick off, while Neal Maupay is also available for his Everton debut after signing from Brighton. However, we’ve gone for Roberto Firmino based on his recent form, with the Brazilian even set to keep Nunez out of the side at Goodison Park on Saturday.
A performance for the ages from Roberto Firmino 🔥 pic.twitter.com/N2kAdbyNpI
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) August 27, 2022
LW: Luis Diaz
To round out an entirely Red frontline, Colombian Luis Diaz has become a firm fan favourite, and has in the early weeks of the season stepped up to the plate amid Salah’s struggles.
Ending last season strongly, the 25-year-old forward has netted three times already this season, including a vital strike against Crystal Palace.
A superb strike from @LuisFDiaz19 during the 1-1 draw with Palace 👏 pic.twitter.com/kkWZkj5QEK
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) August 15, 2022
