Liverpool v Everton: Merseyside derby combined XI
By David Gate
Full Backs: Joe Gomez & Leighton Baines
Seamus Coleman and Nathaniel Clyne are still out with long-term injuries. This makes the right back spot in the combined XI up for grabs. Neither side has settled on a permanent right back. Liverpool have been using Joe Gomez and Trent Alexander-Arnold in a time share.
Gomez is the player Klopp trusts most and has had 60% of the game time. He has also started in every big game except against Man City. Alexander-Arnold has impressed in a relatively new role for him. He has scored twice in Europe and looks like the future of the club at right back. However his poor display against Man City proves how much more he needs to learn.
Everton have been using three players Mason Holgate, Jonjoe Kenny and Cuco Martina. None of these players has made the position their own. Holgate was always a center back out of position and Jonjoe Kenny has had good games but looks naive. Cuco Martina has more recently played at center back. Therefore Gomez pips the rest of the field as the combined XI choice.
There are only really two options to consider at left back; Leighton Baines and Alberto Moreno. For a decade Leighton Baines has held this spot in the Merseyside combined XI. Left back has been a position of real problem for the Reds while Baines has been one of the best performers in the Premier League at the position.
However this season the decision is the closest it’s been in years. There has been a drop in Baines’ level of the last six months while Alberto Moreno has gone from being a punchline to being the most consistent defender at Anfield. Baines pips it here but by the time teams play again in the FA Cup it could be different.