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Combined Best XI: Manchester City vs. Liverpool

By Larry Henry

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 31: Emre Can of Liverpool and Pablo Zabaleta of Manchester City during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Manchester City at Anfield on December 31, 2016 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Matthew Ashton - AMA/Getty Images)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 31: Emre Can of Liverpool and Pablo Zabaleta of Manchester City during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Manchester City at Anfield on December 31, 2016 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Matthew Ashton - AMA/Getty Images) /
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LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 31: Aleksandar Kolarov of Manchester City and Nathaniel Clyne of Liverpool during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Manchester City at Anfield on December 31, 2016 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Matthew Ashton – AMA/Getty Images)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 31: Aleksandar Kolarov of Manchester City and Nathaniel Clyne of Liverpool during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Manchester City at Anfield on December 31, 2016 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Matthew Ashton – AMA/Getty Images) /


After falling out of the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday in Monaco, Manchester City now must gear up for a huge EPL showdown against Liverpool on Sunday. 

Pep Guardiola‘s side need to bounce back quickly after a defeat in Monaco midweek. They welcome Jurgen Klopp‘s Liverpool to the Etihad on Sunday, looking for a win ahead of a two-week international break.

Prior to Sunday’s showdown, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp praised Pep Guardiola’s managerial skills in an interview with BBC Sport. “I am not in doubt about his quality. Maybe a few people are but I am not. I respect him a lot. I know probably a few people think (differently) now they are out of the Champions League but I think the way they played was quite impressive as Monaco. City could have won the game easily in the second half but because they are human beings they missed a few chances. For me City is the most difficult team to play. I know their image at this moment in this country is a little bit different.”

More from Game preview

Ahead of Sunday’s top-four meeting, we decided to create a combined best XI between the two English giants. Only available players were considered, while current form also was a huge factor.

SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND – MARCH 05: Willy Caballero of Manchester City celebrates after his sides second goal during the Premier League match between Sunderland and Manchester City at Stadium of Light on March 5, 2017 in Sunderland, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND – MARCH 05: Willy Caballero of Manchester City celebrates after his sides second goal during the Premier League match between Sunderland and Manchester City at Stadium of Light on March 5, 2017 in Sunderland, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) /

Goalkeeper – Willy Caballero

Like most matches this season, Willy has done a superb job for Manchester City filling in for Claudio Bravo. He has made a number of big saves for his team, most recently keeping Manchester City in Wednesday’s match at Monaco. He may not get the recognition that he deserves, but Caballero is a proven veteran keeper that should continue to start for Guardiola’s side. Simon Mignolet has done a fine job for Liverpool, but I feel Caballero gets the nod over the Belgian.