On form, it would be difficult to pick too many holes in Phil Thompson’s combined XI of Liverpool and Manchester United players.
One of the most anticipated games of the season takes place on Monday and, as is expected, pundits from far and wide are being asked who they’d include and who they’d leave out if they were only allowed to pick eleven players between the fierce rivals.
Phil Thompson found himself in that position for Sky Sports this week but, credit to the former Liverpool player and caretaker manager as his picks actually seem rather fair.
Thommo picked seven Reds players, compared to the four representatives from Old Trafford, but you’d struggle to point to any shock decisions.
David De Gea’s place between the sticks is impossible to dispute while the back four of Nathaniel Clyne, Chris Smalling, Dejan Lovren and James Milner is probably the most in-form.
“Luke Shaw might get in if he was fully fit and playing regularly but I’d have Milner over Daley Blind,” Thompson explained about the absence of Shaw.
Paul Pogba has been rewarded with a place, as has Liverpool skipper Jordan Henderson, while the attacking midfield of Roberto Firmino, Philippe Coutinho and Sadio Mane is an expected selection.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic leads the line while Wayne Rooney unsurprisingly finds himself snubbed again.
“Adam Lallana is unlucky to miss out,” Thompson added before claiming that Marcus Rashford wasn’t picked due to the fact that he wasn’t starting for the Red Devils.
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