Man City v Liverpool: David James names controversial combined dream XI

Liverpool travel to Manchester City on Sunday afternoon for a clash that could very well determine the destination of this season’s Premier League title.

At present, City sit just a point ahead of the Reds at the top of table – and so close is the race between the two rival sides that a win for either would be a massive step towards lifting the trophy at the end of May.

Both teams boast squads packed with world-class talent, meaning that picking a combined XI of Liverpool and City players is no easy task.

That assignment, though, was recently handed to former England goalkeeper David James, who played for both sides during his own decorated career.

Now, as always with these sorts of topics, the final outcome comes down to personal preference. The line-up James has selected is an outstanding one, but a few major names surprisingly don’t make the cut.

In fact, of the 11 available spots only four are filled by Liverpool players – the first of which is the Reds’ Brazilian shot-stopper Alisson.

“I’ve put Alisson above Ederson based on the fact that Alisson has had more to do. If you take into consideration how important Alisson has been in keeping clean sheets and stopping in the last few months,” James told Genting Casino. “I think in the last few games Ederson’s kicked the ball over the halfway line twice.”

In the left-back berth, Andy Robertson gets the nod over City’s Joao Canelo, based on his ball retention percentages.

“I’d have Robertson at left-back over Cancelo as he doesn’t shoot as much and therefore doesn’t give the ball away as much.

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“I’d have Luis Diaz and Virgil van Dijk,” continues James, naming the final two Liverpool players in his line-up.

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