Lethal Liverpool put Man Utd to the sword in our Mixed XI
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Manchester United may be two points ahead of fifth-place Liverpool in the Premier League’s last Champions League spot, but we can only have four of their regulars in our mix ‘n’ match XI ahead of the pair’s Anfield clash.
Despite Simon Mignolet’s resurgence in goal since being dropped and swiftly reinstated by Reds boss Brendan Rodgers back in December, United number one David de Gea may be the best goalkeeper in the world right now and gets in this side easily.
We’ve gone for a back three containing all-action Germany youth international Emre Can and ball-playing Argentine Marcos Rojo, split by 6ft3in Slovakian Martin Skrtel.
Ahead of them sits Michael Carrick in deep midfield. Despite being injured for large chunks of the season, the 33-year-old will be among the first names on Louis van Gaal’s teamsheet on Merseyside.
Anfield skipper elect Jordan Henderson can’t be ignored after the England man’s three goals in the past four games put some statistical gloss on what has been an impressive 18 months.
He’s joined by brilliant Brazilian schemer Philippe Coutinho, who had a poor game in the 3-0 loss at Old Trafford but has proved one of the driving forces behind Liverpool’s record of just one loss in 23 all-competition fixtures since.
Alberto Moreno’s move further up the field sparked a huge improvement in Rodgers’ side’s form in the second half of their 1-0 win at Swansea last time out, after Garry Monk’s men bossed the first 45.
The young Spaniard gets in ahead of inconsistent Red Devils duo Ashley Young and Luke Shaw in the advanced left wing-back role opposite Liverpool danger man Raheem Sterling on the right.
Up front, England captain Wayne Rooney, who has bagged a couple of goals in his last two matches, is tasked with sharing forward duties with international teammate Daniel Sturridge, who would have expected a better haul than three strikes in 11 appearances since returning from injury in January.
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