The marquee matchup from the opening weekend of the 2023/24 Premier League season sees Chelsea and Liverpool clash at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
After differing degrees of disappointment last season, both clubs have aspirations of returning to the Champions League and perhaps even challenging for the league title.
Here is 101GreatGoals’ combined XI made up of the currently fit Chelsea and Liverpool players.
Chelsea & Liverpool combined XI
GK: Alisson – Chelsea have two decent goalkeepers competing for their no.1 spot at present in Kepa Arrizabalaga and Robert Sanchez, but neither player has been as consistently good as Alison over the last several years. The Brazilian is one of the most well-rounded keepers in Europe and perhaps the best shot-stopper in England.
RB: Trent Alexander-Arnold – During the first half of 2022/23, Alexnader-Arnold’s form took a major nosedive. However, after being used as more of an inverted wing-back, TAA is back to his best, with his creativity unmatched by any other full-back in the Premier League.
CB: Virgil van Dijk – Like Trent, Virgil van Dijk’s form took a major upturn at the back end of 2022/23. And whilst he has lost some of his pace, he remains a quality stopper.
LB: Andy Robertson – Ben Chilwell has shown patches of quality during his time at Chelsea, and whilst he has had a good pre-season, Andy Robertson has been one of the most consistent left-backs in the Premier League for years.
CM: Enzo Fernandez – Enzo Fernandez joined Chelsea at a time of turmoil. Despite this, he still put on some excellent displays in 2022/23, with his ability to pick a pass and link play outstanding.
CM: Alexis Mac Allister – After signing from Brighton over the summer, Mac Alister is expected to be a major asset for Liverpool. The 2022 World Cup winner brings a goal threat that has been lacking in both Liverpool and Chelsea’s midfields.
CM: Dominik Szoboszlai – Like Mac Alister, the newly-signed Szoboszlai brings a creative and goal threat Liverpool have been without in midfield for some time. He scored 10 and assisted 13 for RB Leipzig last season.
RW: Mohamed Salah – Despite having a ‘bad’ season by his usually lofty standards, Mohamed Salah scored 19 and assisted 12 in 38 PL games last time out. Nobody in Chelsea’s side comes close to that.
ST: Darwin Nunez – With Christopher Nkunku sidelined and Nicolas Jackson largely unproven, Darwin Nunez is arguably the best striking option available from the two sides.
LW: Luis Diaz – Diaz missed a large part of 2022/23 due to injury but his impact on Liverpool’s team upon his return was unquestionable as the Reds narrowly missed out on a Champions League place. Liverpool lost just two of the 17 league games the Colombian played last term and seven when he was out.
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