Combined Premier League era Liverpool and Everton XI and subs ahead of Merseyside derby
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Combined Premier League era Liverpool and Everton XI
Merseyside will once again come to a standstill soon as Everton and Liverpool prepare to collide in their latest derby meeting at Goodison Park.
The Reds had been flying high of late and looked likely of challenging for the title until some recent setbacks, while the Toffees have crept back up the table into a top 10 position.
Jurgen Klopp’s visitors will take to the pitch at 13/5 to triumph to nil, while the hosts are 27/10 to prevail and a draw can be backed at 5/2.
So, ahead of the pair’s Monday Night Football clash, Coral outline a combined Premier League era Liverpool and Everton XI. Enjoy.
Formation: 4-3-1-2
Goalkeeper: Pepe Reina
Following Liverpool’s 2005 Champions League success they snapped up Spanish shot stopper Reina and he swiftly became a great capture between the sticks.
Going on to make almost 400 outings for the Reds, he holds the record for most top-flight appearances by a Spanish player and keeping an impressive 108 domestic clean sheets. A superb choice to take up the number one jersey in this combined Premier League era Liverpool and Everton XI.
Right back: Seamus Coleman
Current Everton full back and Republic of Ireland international skipper Coleman takes his place on the right side of the rearguard, beating compatriot and former Reds star Steve Finnan to the spot.
The County Donegal wideman has become arguably the best in his position in the Premier League during recent seasons, with a strong mix of solid defensive work and dynamic attacking wingplay.
Centre back: Jamie Carragher
There have been plenty of solid centre halves to have featured for both Merseyside clubs in the Premier League era, but Liverpool hero Carragher was an obvious inclusion after a long-serving career at Anfield.
The defender turned TV pundit was versatile at the back and made over 500 appearances for his boyhood team across an incredible 17-season spell in red, plus eight years before that in the youth ranks. Carragher also grew up in an Everton supporting household!
Centre back: David Unsworth
A Toffees legend next, with Unsworth pipping the likes of Daniel Agger and Sylvain Distin to a selection in this starting line-up.
The defender, known as ‘the Rhino’, spent five seasons with Everton in his first spell on Merseyside (1992–97) then another six campaigns when swiftly returning in 1998. He was also part of the FA Cup winning team from 1995 under Joe Royle.
Left back: John Arne Riise
Norway’s most-capped player Riise was picked ahead of Leighton Baines on this side of the backline due to his seven-year success at Anfield, scoring some spectacular goals with his wicked left foot across over 300 outings.
Central midfield: Xabi Alonso
With so many midfield maestros having starred for both clubs through the years it was hard to narrow down the choices, but Spanish anchorman Alonso simply had to be included.
With his diverse range of passing from midfield, the former deep-lying pass-master was superb for Liverpool across five seasons in which he lifted a European Cup, FA Cup and Community Shield before departing for Real Madrid.
Box-to-box midfield midfield: Steven Gerrard
Taking up a deserved position in the heart of midfield, former Liverpool captain and icon Gerrard was an easy selection in central areas.
The recently retired Merseyside native spent 17 years at the club and was at the forefront of them securing two FA Cups, three League Cups and that famous Champions League crown in 2005.
Central midfield: Thomas Gravesen
Former Denmark international Gravesen completes an engine room trio in this combined XI, with the former Toffees hatchet man enjoying five campaigns in blue before returning briefly on loan.
The Goodison crowd favourite was a hit during his time on the blue half of Merseyside and was surprisingly sold to Real Madrid in 2005, before later arriving at Celtic.
Attacking midfield: Tim Cahill
When thinking back on influential Everton players there’s none that stand out more in the Premier League era than Australian attacker Cahill.
The Sydney native was a reliable midfielder and forward for Everton during eight years, becoming widely regarded for his aerial abilities and passion towards representing his former club.
Striker: Fernando Torres
There has been an abundance of clinical strikers to feature for both these sides in the Premier League, including Ian Rush, Duncan Ferguson, Romelu Lukaku and Michael Owen, but Fernando Torres was one of the deadliest.
The Spaniard struck 65 times in 102 Premier League appearances for the Reds and is the quickest Liverpool player to reach 50 club goals.
Striker: Luis Suarez
Another former Liverpool frontman to partner Torres, which may annoy the Everton supporting readers, though he deserves his place nevertheless.
Uruguay marksman Suarez spent three seasons at Anfield, netting over 100 goals and quickly established himself as one of the world’s best forwards before leaving for Barcelona.
Subs:
Tim Howard, Leighton Baines, Daniel Agger, Steve McManaman, Gary McAllister, Romelu Lukaku, Michael Owen and Robbie Fowler.
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