We have put together a combined XI made up of the best Liverpool and Newcastle players ahead of this Sunday’s Carabao Cup Final.
Arne Slot’s Liverpool have had a scintillating Premier League campaign so far, however penalty shootout heartbreak at the hands of Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League on Tuesday shows that not all the roses are red in the Liverpool camp.
On the other hand, Newcastle United return to Wembley for the first time since their 2-0 defeat to Manchester United in the same competition. With Newcastle last winning a trophy back in 1955, they will be hoping their seven decade curse can finally be broken in the Carabao Cup Final.
Carabao Cup Final: Combined XI
Formation: 4-3-3
GK: Alisson Becker (Liverpool)
Alisson Becker who joined the Reds from Roma in 2018 and quickly established himself as a stalwart player. He has been seen as one of the best in the world in the position. With Liverpool only losing one game in the Premier League so far this campaign, it’s hard to overlook the Brazilian.
Due to injuries, neither Nick Pope or Martin Dúbravka have managed to get a consistent run of games to prove their ability at a higher level compared to Alisson. Newcastle have faced some tricky fixtures in the Carabao Cup however, so some credit has to be given to the goalkeepers on reaching the final.
RB: Tino Livramento (Newcastle United)
With Trent Alexander-Arnold being forced to miss this weekend’s final through injury, it leaves the right-back role up for grabs and one player who has exceeded expectations this season is Tino Livramento.
The young Englishman has flourished this season ahead of Kieran Trippier at right back, missing only one game due to injury and has conjured up eight clean sheets in the Premier League, as well as being a consistent performer in the run to the Carabao Cup Final.
CB: Virgil Van Dijk (Liverpool)
One of the easier choices in this selection is Liverpool’s dominant Dutch captain. The man who looked a steep price when he signed for £75m from Southampton, but has since proven to be worth every penny – and then some.
He will be looking to lead Liverpool to another trophy success and will demand nothing less than a victory for the Reds.
CB: Dan Burn (Newcastle United)
This pick was one of the hardest decisions, but with some of the performances that Dan Burn has put in this season, I believe he is worth the spot alongside Van Dijk.
Not only do 33% of his Premier League matches end with a clean sheet, he is aerially dominant and makes vital clearances on a regular basis. Playing all but one Premier League game this season and keeping nine clean sheets.
LB: Andrew Robertson (Liverpool)
A couple of weeks ago this selection would have picked itself, with Lewis Hall (Newcastle United) having a stellar season having kept eight clean sheets and providing four assists in 27 Premier League matches.
However, with Lewis Hall’s unfortunate injury, the next choice has to be Andy Robertson. Although he hasn’t reached the level of assists he has shown in previous seasons, he has still been a consistent performer in a Liverpool defence who has kept 12 clean sheets in 29 games.
CDM: Bruno Guimarães (Newcastle United)
After Newcastle’s great start to the Premier League campaign, they hit a dip in form but have managed to turn a corner and Bruno has played a pivotal role in that turnaround.
Providing three goals and six assists in 28 matches in the Premier League all whilst maintaining cover in the heart of midfield proves his inclusion in this combined XI.
CM: Joelinton (Newcastle United)
There were question marks whether the signing of Joelinton was a success after only 10 goals in his first three seasons in the Premier League.
But since his adaptation to a midfield role, he has found a new level that has soured Newcastle to new heights. Contributing to five goals this season and being a robust general in the heart of midfield.
CM: Ryan Gravenberch (Liverpool)
A player whose first season in the Premier League was below par was that of Ryan Gravenberch, who has since succeeded all expectations so far this campaign.
Ryan Gravenberch has had a major resurgence under new boss Arne Slot, with the Dutch manager getting the best out of him so far this season, although he doesn’t have many goals to his name, he does excel in controlling the tempo of the game and breaking up play.
RW: Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
Possibly the easiest pick of them all. The Egyptian is having an all timer season with over 55 goal contributions in all competitions so far this campaign. The standards of Salah continue to rise and if he carries on at this level, it could see him lift the coveted Ballon d’Or.
With Liverpool now being out of the Champions League due to the penalty kick heartbreak at the hands of Paris Saint Germain on Tuesday, fans can only imagine with Salah’s standards he will be looking to make amends on Saturday.
ST: Alexander Isak (Newcastle United)
With 24 goal contributions in 25 games so far this Premier League campaign, there is only one option for the striker position. Isak’s impact on Newcastle’s results this season have been spectacular and worthy of a place in the combined XI.
Considering Liverpool’s Diogo Jota, Darwin Núñez and Cody Gakpo have only scored 18 goals between them, Isak has proved to be one of the most feared strikers in world football currently.
LW: Luis Diaz (Liverpool)
It’s no surprise to see another Liverpool player in this team, Luis Diaz has been a mainstay contributing with nine goals and four assists so far, which has matched his best goal contributions season with a further eight games still left to play.
A position of debate which could have gone to Anthony Gordon after a brilliant season with 11 goal contributions in 26 Premier League games, however a red card in their FA Cup meeting with Brighton has caused him to miss the Final on Sunday.
