Liverpool v Everton: Merseyside derby combined XI

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - APRIL 01: Matthew Pennington of Everton (L) and Philippe Coutinho of Liverpool (C) battle for possession during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Everton at Anfield on April 1, 2017 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - APRIL 01: Matthew Pennington of Everton (L) and Philippe Coutinho of Liverpool (C) battle for possession during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Everton at Anfield on April 1, 2017 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images) /
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Michael Keane of Everton during the UEFA Europa League group E match between Everton FC and Atalanta at Goodison Park on November 23, 2017 in Liverpool, United Kingdom. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)
Michael Keane of Everton during the UEFA Europa League group E match between Everton FC and Atalanta at Goodison Park on November 23, 2017 in Liverpool, United Kingdom. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images) /

Center Backs: Michael Keane & Dejan Lovren

By far the worst position group between these two teams. Liverpool tried to address this position in the summer but failed to sign Virgil van Dijk from Southampton. Despite that debacle, the latest rumors are that the Reds will move for him again in January with Southampton more open to a move.

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Everton thought they had found the future of their defense in Michael Keane who signed from Burnley for a huge fee. The England international has not been the fix all solution that Blues were hoping he would be.

That is in part because of the huge dip in the performance of his partners. Ashley Williams looks like the shell of the player that impressed at Swansea at early in his Everton career. The years have got to Phil Jagielka and the club captain is behind the pace of the average Premier League match.

If Joel Matip was fit then he would be on this list as Liverpool most reliable center back. In his absence I have gone with Dejan Lovren over Ragnar Klavan. Despite his propensity for horror show games like his first half against Tottenham Hotspur he is able to go long periods of time without those errors.