Tottenham outnumbered by Liverpool in Champions League final combined XI
Ahead of tonight’s Champions League final between Tottenham and Liverpool, we run through the best WhoScored rated combined XI between the two Premier League rivals, using the ratings the player have garnered in European competition this season. Injured or suspended players are not eligible for consideration.
Goalkeeper: Alisson (Liverpool) - 6.78 rating
Liverpool would not even be in the Champions League had Alisson not produced a stunning save against Napoli in the group stages. The Brazil international is one of the best goalkeepers in Europe and has helped transform Liverpool’s defence into one of the most resilient on the continent.
Right-back: Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool) - 7.24 rating
Trent Alexander-Arnold showed tremendous awareness to take a quick corner, catching Barcelona completely off-guard, to set up Divock Origi for the winning goal in their Champions League semi-final. The 20-year-old, like Alisson, is one of the best in the world in his position and has three assists in Europe this season.
Centre-back: Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool) - 7.06 rating
Virgil van Dijk has been as impressive in the opposition box as he has in his own box in the Champions League this season. The Liverpool centre-back has played a direct hand in four goals in 11 European games this season (two goals, two assists), while winning 67.9% of his aerial duels.
Centre-back: Jan Vertonghen (Tottenham) - 7.01 rating
Jan Vertonghen was outstanding in Tottenham’s 3-0 win over Borussia Dortmund in the first round of Champions League knockout games, scoring and assisting in a 3-0 win over the German outfit. The Belgium international has been a pillar of consistency for Tottenham this season.
Left-back: Andrew Robertson (Liverpool) - 6.74 rating
Andrew Robertson has two assists in 11 Champions League appearances this season. You would be hard pressed to find a game where the Scotland international has not performed well in. He is tenacious in defence and rampaging when given the chance to get forward.
Right wing: Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) - 7.05 rating
Mohamed Salah has played a direct hand in six goals in 11 Champions League appearances this season (four goals, two assists) and ranks fourth for the most shots in the competition (46). The 26-year-old will hope to enjoy this Champions League final after dislocating his shoulder in last season’s, which Liverpool lost to Real Madrid.
Central midfield: James Milner (Liverpool) - 7.00 rating
James Milner fittingly averages 7.00 in the Champions League. The former England international is consistently a 7/10 performer for Liverpool and is well worth an extension on his current deal, which is reportedly in the pipeline after Saturday’s final. He has played a direct hand in four goals in Europe this term (two goals, two assists).
Central midfield: Christian Eriksen (Tottenham) - 7.34 rating
In order for Tottenham to breakdown Liverpool’s formidable defence then Mauricio Pochettino are going to need a masterclass from Christian Eriksen. Only two players have registered more key passes than the Denmark international (27) in the Champions League this season. Eriksen has registered four assists and scored two goals in 11 Champions League games this term.
Left wing: Sadio Mane (Liverpool) - 7.12 rating
Sadio Mane has developed into Liverpool’s ultimate big-game player and Jurgen Klopp will hope the Senegal international can deliver once again on Saturday. Mane has scored four goals in Europe this season, with three of those goals falling in the knockout stage of the competition.
Striker: Harry Kane (Tottenham) - 7.60 rating
Tottenham are boosted by the return to fitness of star striker Harry Kane. The England captain has scored five goals and provided one assist in eight Champions League appearances this season and is the highest WhoScored rated player out of the two teams.
Striker: Lucas Moura (Tottenham) - 7.26 rating
Lucas Moura completes the combined XI after scoring a hat-trick in Tottenham’s semi-final second leg to fire the north London outfit into their first ever Champions League final. The Brazilian has five goals in 11 appearances in the competition in total.
