Looking ahead to this weekend’s Premier League lineup there is one game in particular that stands out amongst the rest.
Liverpool host Arsenal at Anfield in the highest-profile match at the weekend and the build-up towards the big fixture has already begun.
Former Premier League midfielder Kevin Nolan has had a go at naming his current combined XI from both clubs, and it certainly makes for interesting reading.
Ahead of their clash on Saturday evening, live on Sky Sports, Kevin Nolan has selected his current Liverpool v Arsenal combined XI…
Who needs to be in there?
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) August 21, 2019
Nolan has gone for a 4-2-3-1 formation, and the first area to look at is between the sticks.
With Alisson Becker out injured this was a toss-up between Adrian and Bernd Leno. Understandably the German has edged out the man who was West Ham’s second choice keeper this time last year.
There are no surprises at the back either. Liverpool had the best defence in the division last term, so it’s a backline made up of players from the Merseyside club. Interestingly, Nolan has opted for Joel Matip over Joe Gomez to partner Virgil Van Dijk, so it will be interesting to see who starts this weekend.
The midfield is slightly more controversial. The former West Ham man has chosen a pivot of Joe Willock and Dani Ceballos. These two only have seven Premier League appearances between them, and although they have impressed in the opening weeks of this season, it’s a controversial call as the likes of Fabinho, Jordan Henderson and Giorginio Wijnaldum have been left out.
Last season’s three Golden Boot winners all make it into this XI with Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane flanking Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, while Roberto Firmino has had to play slightly out of position behind the striker as Nolan’s suggested system doesn’t incorporate a false nine.
This is certainly a team that is worthy of challenging for a Premier League title, and with so much talent on offer, Saturday’s clash should be a blockbuster.