Which iteration of the sides we will witness at Anfield on Sunday remains to be seen, but both clubs are undeniably laced with quality across the pitch. There are world-class operators in either dressing room ready to conjure their magic. <\/p>\n
Selecting a combined starting XI of Liverpool and United players is no easy feat given the current predicament of the behemoths. However, we have undertaken the task regardless, selecting a team based on availability and early season form in 2025\u201326. <\/p>\n
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Giorgi Mamardashvili is filling in for the injured Alisson. \/ Justin Setterfield\/Getty Images<\/p>\n
With Alisson injured<\/a> and Senne Lammens having made just the one appearance in United colours this season\u2014albeit an impressive one against Sunderland\u2014Giorgi Mamardashvili simply has to be our starting goalkeeper. <\/p>\n The Georgian should enjoy a run of fixtures in the Liverpool XI given Alisson is on the sidelines for the coming weeks, with few clubs boasting a better deputy than the 25-year-old. He\u2019s regularly showcased his brilliance in La Liga and on the international stage. <\/p>\n Jeremie Frimpong needs more time to adjust to life at Liverpool. \/ Gerrit van Keulen\/Soccrates\/Getty Images<\/p>\n Jeremie Frimpong is another Liverpool signing to have made an underwhelming start since his summer switch, but we\u2019re giving the Dutch international the benefit of the doubt. An injury interrupted his start to the season, but he\u2019s impressed in glimpses during his limited minutes with the Reds and has plenty of credit in the bank from a stunning spell with Bayer Leverkusen. <\/p>\n He caught the eye in the Community Shield and made a sizeable impact from the bench as Liverpool scored late against Burnley in mid-September. They\u2019re only crumbs of comfort, but it\u2019s something for Liverpool to cling to. <\/p>\n Matthijs de Ligt has made a bright start to the season for the most part. \/ Vince Mignott\/MB Media\/Getty Images<\/p>\n Ibrahima Konat\u00e9 of last season would have earned a starting spot in this team without question, but the Frenchman\u2019s disastrous start to the 2025\u201326 campaign means he simply can\u2019t be included. He\u2019s been sluggish in and out of possession, looking a shadow of the imperious presence that helped Liverpool keep more clean sheets than any other team in the league last term. <\/p>\n United have looked ropey at the back themselves this season, but Matthijs de Ligt has been largely solid. He\u2019s looked increasingly comfortable as the deepest of Amorim\u2019s three centre halves, benefitting from extra protection either side of him. <\/p>\n Virgil van Dijk forms a Dutch centre back partnership in the combined XI. \/ Gaspafotos\/MB Media\/Getty Images <\/p>\n Virgil van Dijk has struggled to hold Liverpool\u2019s faltering defence in one piece, but the Dutchman has still been their standout performer at the back. He leads the rearguard for clearances and blocks per 90, while also delivering a crucial winner in the Champions League against Atl\u00e9tico Madrid back in September. <\/p>\n He might not have been at his impenetrable best, but he\u2019s still been hugely impressive in spells. <\/p>\n Diogo Dalot is a steady if unspectacular performer. \/ Justin Setterfield\/Getty Images<\/p>\n Diogo Dalot is not a spectacular fullback by any means, but the Portuguese defender is impressively consistent and an incredibly hard worker. The 26-year-old\u2019s minutes have been limited through injury this season, but he\u2019s largely impressed when called upon. <\/p>\n His versatility is hugely beneficial for United and his ability to play left back ensures teammate Patrick Dorgu and struggling Liverpool signing Milos Kerkez miss out entirely. They can have few complaints based on current form. <\/p>\n Ryan Gravenberch has been immune to Liverpool\u2019s poor form. \/ Joe Prior\/Visionhaus\/Getty Images<\/p>\n Ryan Gravenberch has managed to rise above Liverpool\u2019s disappointing form this season, building on last term\u2019s terrific performances that saw him scoop the Premier League<\/a> Young Player of the Season award. <\/p>\n He\u2019s managed four goal contributions already this season, including superb goals against Newcastle United and Everton, and can lay claim to being one of the Premier League\u2019s best midfielders right now. <\/p>\n United would love such a presence in their engine room. <\/p>\n Alexis Mac Allister is simply world class. \/ Carl Recine\/Getty Images <\/p>\n Alexis Mac Allister has endured a stop-and-start season for Liverpool amid fitness issues and fatigue, but the Argentina international seldom fails to deliver when called upon. The midfielder is effortlessly brilliant and has become one of the leading tempo-setters across the globe.<\/p>\n Casemiro\u2019s recent renaissance and Dominik Szoboszlai\u2019s admirable industry are not enough to keep Mac Allister out of our team, with the 26-year-old walking into almost any midfield in world football. <\/p>\n Next. The Top 50 Premier League Players of All Time. The Top 50 Premier League Players of All Time. dark<\/p>\n Mohamed Salah loves facing United. \/ Justin Setterfield\/Getty Images<\/p>\n Mohamed Salah has failed to deliver the same devastating performances that won him Premier League Player of the Season en route to last term\u2019s title, but there is an expectation that the Egyptian will rediscover his mojo sooner rather than later. <\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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