Liverpool vs Manchester United: Reds dominate combined XI

Liverpool understandably dominate the WhoScored combined XI ahead of their welcome of Manchester United on Sunday. The Reds have been far and away the best team in England this season and can move a massive 16 points clear at the top of the Premier League table. 

However, they face a United side that has upped their game against the top half teams this term and they remain the only side to take points off Liverpool this season after the pair drew 1-1 at Old Trafford in October, and that result was only made possible by a late Adam Lallana equaliser. 

That being said, Liverpool are the overwhelming favourites to secure all the spoils on Merseyside today and, judging by this combined XI, they should make light work of their fierce rivals. 

Indeed, the only United players to make this side are Harry Maguire (7.04) and Fred (6.92). With Maguire, his WhoScored rating falls well below that of Joel Matip (7.52). The Cameroonian centre-back started the campaign brilliantly, but injury means he has been restricted to just seven league starts this term and, as noted, injured and suspended players are excluded from making the grade. 

Even so, Marcus Rashford would have failed to secure a place in the team with his WhoScored rating (7.34) significantly lower than Sadio Mane (7.61) on the left flank of this 4-3-3. Mane joins fellow Reds strikers Roberto Firmino (7.32) and Mohamed Salah (7.36) on the frontline, with the Brazilian's rating meaning Anthony Martial (7.25) misses out on the side. 

In the battle of the goalkeepers, Alisson's return to the fold has coincided with a much sturdier Liverpool backline, so much so that the Reds go in search of a seventh successive Premier League clean sheet. Liverpool now haven't conceded a league goal since Richarlison's effort on the stroke of half time in the 5-2 Merseyside Derby win at the beginning of December, 585 minutes ago. 

In defence, Liverpool's famed full-back duo Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andrew Robertson feature at right and left-back, respectively, while Virgil van Dijk partners Maguire at the heart of the defence in the most expensive centre-back partnership in world football. Jordan Henderson (7.00) and Georgino Wijnaldum (6.91) round off this XI, though the latter would not have made the grade had teammate Fabinho (7.04) been fit to feature today. 

The Brazilian may have returned to training following a spell on the sidelines having succumbed to injury against Napoli in the Champions League, but this afternoon's match up at Anfield comes too soon for the 26-year-old.