- Premier League leaders Liverpool travel to Arsenal in a crunch clash on Sunday
- Liverpool have won 11 of their opening 12 matches under new boss Arne Slot
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League leaders Liverpool travel to the Emirates to face Arsenal in a heavyweight showdown at the top of the Premier League on Sunday.
Mikel Arteta‘s side lie third after their 2-0 loss to Bournemouth last week, with Aston Villa level on points in fourth. Meanwhile, Arne Slot‘s Liverpool beat Chelsea 2-1 at Anfield to remain top after eight games of the season.
Ahead of this clash, Mail Sport has selected a combined XI of players from both teams.
Since only players available for selection are included, Alisson Becker misses out for Liverpool with a hamstring injury.
Arsenal are expected to be without four injured players – Bukayo Saka, Riccardo Calafiori, Jurrien Timber and Martin Odegaard – while William Saliba is also absent after being sent off against Bournemouth.
Arne Slot takes his Liverpool side to Arsenal as they bid to maintain their superb start
Formation: 4-3-3
GK – David Raya (Arsenal)
Even if Alisson were fit for Liverpool, the goalkeeper spot would be closely contested. Both he and Raya have three clean sheets in the Premier League this season – the joint-second most behind Andre Onana.
Alisson has a higher save percentage of 88 per cent compared to Raya’s 80 per cent. However, the latter has faced more than double the shots on target, with 35 to Allison’s 17.
Liverpool’s second choice is Caoimhin Kelleher, who is a reliable backup goalkeeper but lacks Raya’s experience between the sticks. Alisson’s absence makes this selection an easy one.
RB – Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool)
Alexander-Arnold has started all but one game for Liverpool this season and has established himself as one of Slot’s most important players. He was only absent for their 5-1 Carabao Cup win over West Ham last month.
He has created the most big chances of any defender in the league with five and has improved defensively in the new manager’s system. Slot has introduced a more tactical style to pressing, compared to Jurgen Klopp’s relentless physical approach, which Alexander-Arnold has adopted seamlessly.
Alexander-Arnold gets the nod over Arsenal’s Ben White, who is yet to create a chance for the Gunners this season and has experienced a dip in form.
David Raya gets the nod in goal but would have faced a tougher challenge if Alisson was fit
Trent Alexander-Arnold has already established himself as a key part of Slot’s Liverpool plans
CB – Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)
William Saliba’s absence clears the runway for Van Dijk’s selection in our combined XI. For years, the Dutchman has arguably been the Premier League’s best centre back.
His efforts in 2019 even led him to second place Ballon d’Or finish behind Lionel Messi. However, with two consecutive PFA Team of the Year selections, Saliba may be next in line to the throne.
Many believe he is already the best defender in the country. Yet, due to his suspension, Van Dijk earns his position in our XI.
CB – Gabriel (Arsenal)
Also coming off a PFA Team of the Year selection, Gabriel has cemented himself as one of the best in his position in the Premier League.
He has played every minute for Arsenal in the league and in Europe. In that time, he has been dispossessed just twice.
Despite Ibrahima Konate’s impressive start to the season, Gabriel is alongside Van Dijk at centre back.
LB – Andrew Robertson (Liverpool)
With Jurrien Timber expected to miss the affair, Robertson is preferred over Oleksandr Zinchenko at left back. The Scot has been as dangerous of an attacking threat under Slot as ever.
He has created more chances with 10 than the likes of Bruno Fernandes and Phil Foden, who have eight and six respectively.
Zinchenko has only made two appearances for Arsenal this season and has been left out of the squad on multiple occasions. Robertson is undoubtedly the best available left back in our XI.
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk partners Arsenal’s Gabriel, with William Saliba suspended
CM – Ryan Gravenberch (Liverpool)
Gravenberch has been Liverpool’s anchor at the No 6 position this season, after an up-and-down debut campaign with the Reds.
Only Manchester City’s Mateo Kovacic has completed more passes with 518 than the 22-year-old, who has managed 462 to date. He has started every game in the Premier League under Slot, missing just one minute of action.
He is comfortably Liverpool’s best midfielder, proving it after winning their September Player of the Month award.
CM – Declan Rice (Arsenal)
After a 2024 Ballon d’Or nomination, many believe that Declan Rice’s defensive form has dropped this season. Notably, he has made just seven tackles, two fewer than Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez.
However, Arteta has opted to play the England star in a more advanced role in the midfield, encouraging him to be more involved in the attack. With this change, he has created 10 chances, more than any other Arsenal midfielder.
At a glance, it may look like Rice has been subpar for the Gunners. But in reality, he is proving his versatility in a different position and still remains one of their most important players.
He gets in ahead of his team-mate Thomas Partey in our combined XI.
Ryan Gravenberch has been Liverpool’s best midfielder this season in his new No 6 position
Declan Rice’s standards may have dropped this season but he is still integral to Arsenal
CM – Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool)
Working in tandem with Gravenberch, Liverpool have deployed Mac Allister in a double midfield pivot this season.
Traditionally a more attacking midfielder, Mac Allister’s ability to help out defensively has helped Slot’s side become a more solid unit.
He first adopted this role under Klopp last season and has flawlessly continued in it under the new manager. He too is preferred over Partey in the midfield.
LW – Luis Diaz (Liverpool)
Neither Liverpool nor Arsenal have a bona fide No 1 option at left wing. Diaz and Cody Gakpo have rotated for the former, while Arteta has switched between Martinelli and Leandro Trossard.
However, in their sporadic opportunities, Diaz has taken his chances more than anyone. With five goals in eight Premier League games, he is Liverpool’s joint-top scorer in the league.
He claims the spot in our team ahead of heavy competition.
Mohammed Salah has already provided 10 goal contributions in eight matches this season
Kai Havertz is continuing to prove the early doubters wrong with his superb form for Arsenal
RW – Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
With 10 goal contributions in eight league games – the question is ‘when will Salah slow down?’ The 32-year-old has not missed a beat under Slot, despite many questioning how he would fare after Klopp’s departure.
He also has three goal contributions in as many Champions League games – a goal and two assists.
If Saka was available, this would make for a very tough decision. But with the England star expected to miss the game due to a thigh injury, Salah’s selection on the right flank is a formality.
ST – Kai Havertz (Arsenal)
Havertz has played every minute in the Premier League this season and has been prolific in front of goal. His excellent form in 2024 has come after many believed his £65million move from Chelsea was a blunder by Arsenal.
This season, he has scored four goals and contributed one assist in eight league games. Havertz is Arsenal’s top scorer in the Premier League and is silencing any discourse that the Gunners need a ‘real’ No 9.
He comfortably earns his spot over Diogo Jota in our combined XI, who has only scored two league goals for Liverpool this season.
Our combined XI: Raya, Alexander-Arnold, Van Dijk, Gabriel, Robertson, Gravenberch, Rice, Mac Allister, Diaz, Salah, Havertz