League leaders Liverpool host Chelsea at Anfield on Sunday as they look to win their sixth game in a row.
Arne Slot and Enzo Maresca have hit the ground running and have enjoyed a favorable run of matches.
Both coaches have only faced one ‘Big Six’ team each; Liverpool thrashed rival Manchester United 3-0 at Old Trafford last month, while Chelsea lost to Manchester City at home in their first game of the season.
Before this confrontation, sport mail has chosen a combined eleven made up of players from both sides.
As only players who are available for selection are included, Alisson Becker misses the cut due to a hamstring injury, while Marc Cucurella is suspended after receiving his fifth yellow card in Chelsea’s last game against Nottingham Forest.
Liverpool will look to retain their place at the top of the table when they take on Chelsea at Anfield.
The Reds have had a good start under Arne Slot and have only suffered one defeat this season.
But Chelsea have been revitalized since the arrival of Enzo Maresca and it will be a tough test.
Formation: 4-2-3-1
GK – Robert Sánchez (Chelsea)
If it weren’t for Alisson’s injury, the Brazilian would be one of the first names in our combined eleven. He has played a major role in Liverpool’s impressive defensive record, conceding just two league goals this season.
In his place, he will be replaced by Sánchez, who has also had a solid campaign so far. He saved a penalty against Bournemouth last month and has kept two clean sheets for Chelsea.
RB – Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool)
After scoring for England in their 3-1 win over Finland last week, Alexander-Arnold’s confidence will be through the roof. He has started four games in a row with his team.
The 26-year-old has also created more big chances than any other defender in the Premier League this season (five).
Outperforms Malo Gusto due to its significant defensive improvements with Slot.
Robert Sánchez receives the nod between the sticks after Alisson’s injury at Crystal Palace
Trent Alexander-Arnold remains an integral component of their youth club.
CB – Virgil Van Dijk (Liverpool)
Van Dijk, anchor of Liverpool’s defense, has played every minute in the Premier League this season. He has been crucial in leading his team to three clean sheets, the second most in the league behind United.
The Dutchman has been one of the best centre-backs in world football for more than half a decade. This selection needs little justification.
CB – Levi Colwill (Chelsea)
Colwill’s good form has earned him two selections for the England squad this season. The 21-year-old hasn’t made any mistakes that lead to shots, which is more than can be said for Van Dijk (one).
He has grown comfortable on the ball in Maresca’s challenging system, where offensive preparation begins from Chelsea’s defensive third.
Colwill simply gains the advantage over Ibrahima Konate, who has also had a solid season with Liverpool.
LI: Andrew Robertson (Liverpool)
In Cucurella’s absence, Andrew Robertson is the favorite at left back by default. The Scot has competed with Konstantinos Tsimikas for minutes at times but remains the best in his position at Liverpool.
Robertson has created nine chances in the league this season and remains a dangerous attacking threat with Slot.
Their only other competition is Chelsea’s Renato Veiga, who was played out of position while Cucurella was rested. Ben Chilwell is not part of Maresca’s plans this season and has been removed from the squad.
CM – Ryan Gravenberch (Liverpool)
After being nominated for the Premier League Player of the Month award in September, Gravenberch had to be included in our XI. He has been Liverpool’s best midfielder, acting as number 6.
He won possession a league-high 29 times in September, while also completing more passes than any other midfielder (231). After a disappointing first season at the club, Gravenberch more than justifies his £34m fee from Bayern Munich.
He comfortably earns his place in our XI above Alexis Mac Allister and Enzo Fernández.
Ryan Gravenberch has been key to Liverpool’s defensive solidity with Slot so far this season
Moisés Caicedo finally appears to be fulfilling his potential since arriving in west London
CM – Moisés Caicedo (Chelsea)
Caicedo, who has started every Premier League game for Chelsea this season, has established himself as their number one defensive midfielder. He has made the second-most tackles in the league (27), just one less than Wilfred Ndidi.
Despite Chelsea’s fast build-up play, Caicedo has performed well as their deepest midfielder. Playing right behind Fernández in a double pivot, he has an impressive 88% passing accuracy.
He also surpasses his Liverpool teammate Mac Allister.
LW – Luis Díaz (Liverpool)
Diaz, another Premier League Player of the Month nominee for September, has been arguably the best left winger in the country this season. He has scored five goals and provided one assist in seven league games.
The 27-year-old has done so by playing 90 minutes just once this campaign, in his first game against Ipswich. Diaz ranks third in the league in goals per shot, scoring five on just 15 attempts.
Despite Jadon Sancho’s good start at Chelsea, Díaz is preferred on the left.
AM – Cole Palmer (Chelsea)
Last month’s Premier League Player of the Month and this season’s PFA Player of the Year? It’s certainly not a far-fetched claim, as Palmer leads the league in goal contributions (11).
With six goals and five assists, the 22-year-old has statistically surpassed the likes of Erling Haaland, Mohamed Salah and Bukayo Saka.
Only Saka (12) has created more big chances than Palmer (eight), who threatens his position in the England team.
Cole Palmer hasn’t missed a beat since emerging as the Blues’ talisman upon his arrival last season.
The prolific Mohamed Salah has more than earned his place in this team
ED – Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
Perhaps not as prolific as usual, Salah is Liverpool’s second top scorer in the league behind Diaz. He has set such a standard that four goals and four assists in seven games are not enough to surprise.
However, objectively he has played at a high level and there is no way he will be left out of our eleven.
ST – Nicolas Jackson (Chelsea)
Despite missing the third-most opportunities in the league this season (five), Jackson has still put up impressive numbers. He has seven goal contributions in as many games: four goals and three assists. He is building on a solid season, in which he scored 14 goals in the Premier League in the 2023-24 campaign.
His numbers are good enough to earn him a place above Diogo Jota, who has just scored just two league goals for Liverpool this season.
Our combined XI: Sánchez, Alexander-Arnold, Van Dijk, Colwill, Robertson; Gravenberch, Caicedo; Salah, Palmer, Díaz; jackson