One of the Premier League's biggest rivalries takes place again on Sunday evening as Manchester United travel to Anfield to take on Liverpool
Manchester United Utd and Liverpool is one of the fiercest rivalries English football has ever seen.
They have consistently challenged for silverware throughout history, so we take a look at how a combined Liverpool and Man Utd XI would shape up ahead of this Sunday's showdown on Merseyside and who makes the cut – and who misses out.
Getty ImagesGK | Alisson | Liverpool
In previous years it would have been impossible to leave David de Gea out of any team, but Liverpool's new £67m goalkeeper has been immense since stepping in between the sticks at Anfield.
De Gea has conceded 20 more goals than Alisson in the league this season including a howler against Arsenal, so the Brazillian gets the nod for this team. Not to mention Alisson's incredible stoppage-time save against Napoli in the final Champions League group stage game that secured Liverpool's spot in the last 16 of the competition.
AdvertisementGettyDEF | Andrew Robertson | Liverpool
Andrew Robertson is considered one of the best left-backs in the Premier League. His defensive awareness is perfect and he has all the attacking capabilities that a modern full-back needs – a skilled crosser of the ball and a constant threat in the final third.
Despite Luke Shaw's improvement in recent months, it was impossible to leave Robertson out of this team.
Getty ImagesDEF | Virgil van Dijk | Liverpool
Van Dijk has been the difference between Liverpool being top-four contenders to title challengers. Liverpool have the best defensive record in the league this season, and the Netherlands international is the commander of that back-line.
The centre-back has proved that his record-breaking transfer fee for a defender at £75m when he signed for the Reds last December has been worth every penny.
Getty ImagesDEF | Eric Bailly | Man Utd
Bailly's inclusion is merely in the absence of Liverpool defenders Joe Gomez and Trent-Alexander Arnold, who have played a huge part in Liverpool's defensive strengths this season but will unfortunately miss the big showdown on Sunday due to injury.
The Ivory Coast defender is Man Utd's best centre-back and is superior than Chris Smalling, but wouldn't make a combined XI that consisted of fully-fit players.