Salah features but no room for Mane in Liverpool-Rea Madrid Ultimate XI

With the Champions League final fast approaching, we use our unique rating system to formulate a combined XI as Liverpool gear up to take on Real Madrid in Paris tonight. For the purpose of this XI, we use Champions League ratings to determine who features where in the team. 

It's one that Real Madrid (6) edge out Liverpool (5) on - a sign of things to come? First up, we take a look at the goalkeepers and it is Thibaut Courtois (7.08) who comfortably takes the spot between the sticks. Alisson (6.48) may have excelled in the Premier League, but he has struggled in the Champions League this season, posting a save success rate of just 50%, that the worst in the competition. 

In defence, it's an all-Liverpool back four in this 4-3-3. There can be few complaints for Trent Alexander-Arnold (7.22) at right-back, while Andy Robertson (7.22) is a deserving choice at left-back. Ibrahima Konate (7.17) is Jurgen Klopp's go-to centre-back partner for Virgil van Dijk (7.21) in the Champions League and the pair star in this team. 

However, while Liverpool dominate the defence, the midfield battle is won by Real Madrid. Casemiro (7.07) is flanked by Los Blancos teammates Luka Modric (7.06) and Toni Kroos (7.04), with Thiago and Fabinho (both 6.86) the closest to breaking apart this effective Real Madrid triumvirate. 

Could the frontline be lining up alongside one another at the Bernabeu next season? After missing out on Kylian Mbappe, Real Madrid will be on the hunt for a big name forward this summer with Mohamed Salah (7.35) among those linked with a move to Madrid. 

Salah's form may have dipped in 2022, but he remains one of the best forwards on the planet and with his contract up next summer, Liverpool have a decision to make over the Egyptian's future. Karim Benzema (8.13) is the best rated player in the Champions League this season and he leads the charge with his attacking partner in crime Vinicius Junior (7.63) rounding off this combined XI.