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Chelsea – Liverpool combined XI

By David Cambridge

LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 16: Adam Lallana of Liverpool and Eden Hazard of Chelsea during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Liverpool at Stamford Bridge on September 16, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 16: Adam Lallana of Liverpool and Eden Hazard of Chelsea during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Liverpool at Stamford Bridge on September 16, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images) /
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LONDON, ENGLAND – JANUARY 22: Thibaut Courtois of Chelsea in action during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Hull City at Stamford Bridge on January 22, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – JANUARY 22: Thibaut Courtois of Chelsea in action during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Hull City at Stamford Bridge on January 22, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images) /

Goalkeeper: Thibaut Courtois

Both of Liverpool’s goalkeepers came in for heavy criticism during the first half of the season (most of it courtesy of the Neville brothers, which might suggest less about their performances than it does club allegiance). While the jury is very much still out on Karius, who only moved to Anfield in the summer and has faced a baptism of fire in the rough and tumble of the Premier League, few would argue against Courtois getting the nod between the sticks.

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The Belgian’s commitment to the Chelsea cause was called into question for some of last season, his head seemingly turned by interest from Spain as the Blues, under Mourinho, were nearly dragged into a shock relegation battle. Incidentally, he also found himself on the shelf for part of the season with a leg injury, missing most of those dark final days of Jose’s tenure, which really didn’t do the club any favours in their bid to return to winning ways.

With Conte in charge, he has recaptured the stellar form that made him one of the game’s most reliable keepers during his three year loan stint at Atletico, and has been no less important to Chelsea’s exemplary defensive record than the much acclaimed back three in front of him. With 13 Premier League clean sheets (and counting), he’s also blowing away all of his rivals in the stats department, and, fortunately for Chelsea fans, he seems to be prepared to stay at Stamford Bridge for at least a few more years.

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