Liverpool and Chelsea combined XI: Reds dominate the defence as Cole Palmer and Mo Salah feature in a star-studded forward line – but which £100m man misses out?

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 favourable run of games.

Both managers have only faced one ‘Big Six’ side each; Liverpool thrashed rivals Manchester United 3-0 at Old Trafford last month, while Chelsea lost to Manchester City at home in their opening game of the season.

Ahead of this showdown, Mail Sport has chosen a combined XI made up of players from both sides.

Since 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.

Reds have enjoyed a flying start under Arne Slot and have suffered just one defeat this season

But Chelsea have been revitalised since Enzo Maresca’s arrival and will provide a stern test

Formation: 4-2-3-1

GK – Robert Sanchez (Chelsea)

If it were not for Alisson’s injury, the Brazilian would be one of the first names in our combined XI. He has played a major part in Liverpool’s impressive defensive record, conceding only two league goals this season.

Instead Sanchez, who has also had a solid campaign so far, fills in for him,. 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 for his national team.

The 26-year-old has also created more big chances than any other defender in the Premier League this season (five).

He beats out Malo Gusto due to his major defensive improvements under Slot.

Robert Sanchez gets the nod between the sticks following Alisson’s injury at Crystal Palace

Trent Alexander-Arnold continues to be an integral component for his boyhood club

CB – Virgil Van Dijk (Liverpool)

The anchor of Liverpool’s defence, Van Dijk has played every minute in the Premier League this season. He has been crucial in leading his side 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 over half a decade. This selection needs little justification.

CB – Levi Colwill (Chelsea)

Colwill’s strong form has earned him two selections for the England squad this season. The 21-year-old has made zero errors leading to shots, which is more than can be said for Van Dijk (one).

He has been comfortable on the ball in Maresca’s challenging system, where the attacking build-up starts from Chelsea’s defensive third.

Colwill just gets the edge over Ibrahima Konate, who has also had a solid season for Liverpool.

LB – Andrew Robertson (Liverpool)

In Cucurella’s absence, Andrew Robertson is favoured at left back by default. At times, the Scot has competed with Konstantinos Tsimikas for minutes but is still the best in his position at Liverpool.

Robertson has created nine chances in the league this season and is still a dangerous attacking threat under Slot.

His only other competition is Chelsea’s Renato Veiga, who they played out of position when resting Cucurella. Ben Chilwell is not a part of Maresca’s plans this season and has been phased out of 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, operating as a No 6.

He won possession a league-high 29 times in September, as well as completing more passes than any other midfielder (231). After an underwhelming first season at the club, Gravenberch is more than justifying his £34million fee from Bayern Munich.

He comfortably earns his place in our XI over Alexis Mac Allister and Enzo Fernandez.

Ryan Gravenberch has been key in Liverpool’s defensive solidity under Slot so far this season

Moises Caicedo looks to be finally delivering on his potential since arriving in west London

CM – Moises Caicedo (Chelsea)

Starting every Premier League game for Chelsea this season, Caicedo has established himself as their No 1 defensive midfielder. He has made the second most tackles in the league (27), only one less than Wilfred Ndidi.

Despite Chelsea’s fast build-up play, Caicedo has coped well as their deepest-lying midfielder. Playing just behind Fernandez in a double pivot, he has an impressive 88% pass accuracy.

He too beats out his team-mate and Liverpool’s Mac Allister.

LW – Luis Diaz (Liverpool)

Another nominee for September’s Premier League Player of the Month, Diaz has arguably been the best left winger in the country this season. He has netted five goals and made one assist in seven league games.

The 27-year-old has done this while only playing 90 minutes once this campaign, on their opening game against Ipswich. Diaz is joint-third in the league in goals per shot, scoring five from only 15 attempts.

Despite Jadon Sancho’s positive start at Chelsea, Diaz 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 is certainly not a farfetched claim, with Palmer leading the league in goal contributions (11).

With six goals and five assists, the 22-year-old has statistically outperformed the likes of Erling Haaland, Mohamed Salah and Bukayo Saka.

Only Saka (12) has created more big chances than Palmer (eight), who is threatening his position in the England squad.

Cole Palmer hasn’t missed a beat since emerging as the Blues’ talisman on arrival last season

The prolific Mohamed Salah has more than earned his place in this combined squad 

RW – 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 raise eyebrows.

Nevertheless, he has objectively played at a high standard and there is no way that he could be left out of our XI.

ST – Nicolas Jackson (Chelsea)

Despite missing the third-most big chances 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, where he scored 14 Premier League goals in the 2023-24 campaign.

His numbers are good enough to earn him a place over Diogo Jota, who has just scored just two league goals for Liverpool this campaign.

Our combined XI: Sanchez, Alexander-Arnold, Van Dijk, Colwill, Robertson; Gravenberch, Caicedo; Salah, Palmer, Diaz; Jackson