Chelsea and Liverpool combined XI: Champions for a reason
Chelsea take on champions Liverpool in their penultimate game of the season, but what would a combined XI of these two footballing powerhouses look like?
On the night Liverpool is handed its maiden Premier League trophy, Chelsea will be hoping to edge a step closer to European football. Both sides have had their fair share of mixed results since the restart, but both will have a point to prove in this midweek clash. A win for the Blues could see them seal a place in next season’s Champions League; whilst Liverpool will be hoping to celebrate in style by delivering a killer blow to Lampard’s European dream.
When creating a combined XI that involves the current English, European and World Champions, it’s probably fair to assume the other side will have little part to play, but a handful of the Chelsea contingent may just manage to squeeze themselves in.
Goalkeeper: Alisson, Liverpool
The first of several easy picks, Alisson is arguably the top keeper in the world right now, a job made somewhat easier by having the best defender in a generation protecting him. The Brazilian shot-stopper has kept five more clean sheets than his Chelsea counterpart—despite appearing in five fewer games—and has let in over half as many goals (19) compared to Arizzabalaga’s 42.
Statistically, Chelsea’s No. 1 is in fact the worst goalkeeper in the league in terms of save percentage, so this decision really is a no-brainer.
Right back: Trent Alexander-Arnold, Liverpool
England suddenly seems to have been blessed with an abundance of talent at this position and when players like Manchester United’s Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Chelsea’s own Reece James barely get a sniff in, you know the man keeping them out must be special. I am of course referring to Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold, who could claim to be the top player in his position right now and the stats certainly support his case.
The flying fullback has assisted 12 goals this season, a record for a defender in the Premier League. This is James’ first season as a regular starter for Chelsea and maybe in a year or two he will pose a real threat to Arnold, but for now, this is another easy choice.
Centreback: Cesar Azpilicueta, Chelsea
The first Chelsea player to make it into the side and to be honest, Joe Gomez probably still has a very good case for being picked instead. However, the Chelsea captain has been one of the most consistent defenders in the league for the best part of a decade and it is his versatility that sees him get the nod here.
The Spaniard is capable of slotting in anywhere along the backline and honestly, the other three positions in this combined defence are shoe-ins. In a Chelsea defence that clearly needs some investment, Azpilicueta continues to shine, providing ten tackles—the tenth highest in the league.
Centreback: Virgil van Dijk, Liverpool
I don’t really need to explain this one, van Dijk is the best defender—if not overall player—in the world today. He managed to turn a Liverpool defence that had been frankly laughable into one of the best on the planet. Liverpool has conceded just 29 goals in games in which the Dutchman has featured, compared to the 48 of his centreback partner in this combined XI.
Left back: Andrew Robertson, Liverpool
Rounding out the defence is yet another Reds defender. Even if Robertson wasn’t the sensational player he is, Chelsea really offer very little competition in this position. Emerson hasn’t played for months whilst Marcos Alonso is a sorry shadow of the player he was a few years ago. That being said, Robertson is arguably the best fullback who’s first name isn’t Alexander-Arnold. Robertson has claimed an impressive 10 assists this season; and I think I’ve probably said enough about Liverpool’s defensive solidarity already.