Arsenal vs Liverpool Combined XI: No room for Mohamed Salah in side dominated by Liverpool

Arsenal take on Liverpool at the Emirates this afternoon in a huge Premier League clash in the capital. With that, we run through the combined XI from both sides of those to have made at least five league appearances this season. Those unavailable for selection are also excluded. 

Goalkeeper 

While Caoimhin Kelleher and Alisson both have the better WhoScored rating, the former’s lack of appearances and the latter’s absence means David Raya (7.01) features between the sticks in this XI. 

Defence 

It’s close to an all-Liverpool backline as Trent Alexander-Arnold (7.10), Ibrahima Konate (7.05) and Virgil van Dijk (7.24) all make the cut. However, Jurrien Timber (6.82) ensures it’s not Reds dominance in defence, though the Dutchman is a doubt for the home side. 

Midfield 

Liverpool’s all-conquering pair of Ryan Gravenberch (7.14) and Alexis Mac Allister (6.87) both feature in this XI and are joined in the middle of the park by Arsenal’s Thomas Partey (6.93). Partey, though, may start at right-back today given Arsenal’s absentees. 

Attack 

The contentious choice up front comes on the right wing as there is no place for Mohamed Salah in the XI. The Egypt international has made a superb start to the season for Liverpool but his WhoScored rating of 7.69 is trumped by Bukayo Saka (8.25). Saka, like Timber, faces a late fitness test ahead of the welcome of Liverpool. 

On the left, Luis Diaz (7.40) makes the XI and it’s an XI spearheaded by Kai Havertz (7.32). 

XI in full: Raya; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Timber; Partey, Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Saka, Havertz, Diaz