MY ACCOUNT
The latest chapter in one of the Premier League’s most iconic rivalries takes place tonight as Manchester United host Liverpool.
While the Red Devils have fallen on harder times in recent years, they remain the club with far and away the most league titles in the Premier League’s 30-year existence.
With the Reds enjoying more of the success of late, the two sides have seen some of the division’s best players grace their respective turfs.
But which of those stars get the nod in a combined team? Read on as we take on the unenviable task of picking an XI.
Goalkeeper: Peter Schmeichel (Manchester United)
Widely regarded as the Premier League’s most iconic goalkeeper, there was no shifting Peter Schmeichel for a place between the sticks in our side.
The legendary Dane racked up 252 appearances in the competition for United, winning five league titles in eight seasons during a dominant era between 1991 and 1999.
Right-back: Gary Neville (Manchester United)
While Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold has helped redefine the role of a right-back in modern football, it is hard to ignore the glittering career of eight-time Premier League winner Gary Neville.
A committed and aggressive leader in multiple Alex Ferguson teams, the defender was so often the player opposition teams loved to hate.
But the now Sky Sports pundit’s ability to overlap on the right flank — particularly alongside David Beckham — means his talent as a footballer is perhaps still underappreciated.
Centre-back: Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)
The first pick from the Liverpool contingent is a defender still dominating the English top flight in Virgil van Dijk.
Undoubtedly one of the world’s finest centre-backs, the Netherlands international is astonishingly yet to lose a league game as a Reds player at Anfield despite joining all the way back in January 2018.
Centre-back: Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United)
Partnering Van Dijk in a sturdy defence is former United and England captain Rio Ferdinand.
While an expert in the defensive side of the game, Ferdinand’s impressive technical ability made him one of the Premier League’s first true ball-playing centre-backs.
Left-back: Patrice Evra (Manchester United)
Another closely run battle with a Liverpool star excelling in the modern era sees Patrice Evra edge out Andy Robertson.
The energetic Frenchman thrived at both ends of the pitch during his trophy-laden spell at Old Trafford.
Central midfield: Roy Keane (Manchester United)
The first member of a midfield packed with legendary figures is one of United’s greatest ever captains — Roy Keane.
While so often Ferguson’s fearless lieutenant on the field, the Irishman was also a supremely talented footballer.
His tireless ball-winning traits and shrewd ability in possession made him an almost permanent fixture in the Red Devils side for more than a decade.
Central midfield: Paul Scholes (Manchester United)
A perfect player to complement Keane in midfield, Paul Scholes is rightly regarded as one of the finest technicians of his generation.
Quietly going about his business during an exceptional career, the extensive list of former stars who regard Scholes as their toughest ever opponent speaks for itself.
Central midfield: Steven Gerrard (Liverpool)
While Keane and Scholes impressed in an already successful team, Liverpool icon Steven Gerrard so often had to carry his boyhood club on his back.
From his tough tackling to his penchant for a spectacular long-range goal, the fiery Liverpudlian truly set the standards for his team-mates to follow throughout his career.
Racking up 504 top-flight appearances for the Anfield outfit, Gerrard netted an incredible 120 goals from the middle of the park.
Right-wing: Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
While a Premier League title eluded Gerrard, Mohamed Salah’s role in helping Liverpool lift their first in 30 years in 2020 should arguably be enough for him to claim a place.
That is before you consider the four other campaigns where the Egyptian has been one of the most prolific forwards around.
Having signed a new contract at Anfield this summer, his current tally of 121 Premier League goals looks set to continue rising.
Striker: Wayne Rooney (Manchester United)
As the Premier League’s second-best goalscorer ever, Wayne Rooney was a sure-fire pick to lead the line for his side.
His 208 top-flight goals — 183 of which were as a United player — are made even more impressive considering his game was about so much more than scoring.
His 103 assists rank him third in the all-time list, cementing Rooney’s place as one of English football’s most complete forwards.
Left wing: Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United)
Rounding off a forward line which looks to have it all is another current star in Cristiano Ronaldo for his sheer brilliance for Manchester United over two spells.
The Portuguese phenomenon rose to stardom at Old Trafford as tricky winger, winning three Premier League titles and a Champions League medal before earning a move to Real Madrid in 2009.
He returned last summer as a powerful and potent goalscorer, with the now 37-year-old impressively finding the net 18 times in a struggling United team in 2021-22.
Substitutes
Alisson (Liverpool), Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Nemanja Vidic (Manchester United), Jamie Carragher (Liverpool), Xabi Alonso (Liverpool), Luis Suarez (Liverpool), Eric Cantona (Manchester United)
Do you agree with our line-up? Let us know by tweeting @LiveScore.
