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Best XI: Liverpool v Tottenham

By Ryan Wrenn

LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 04: Harry Kane of Tottenham Hotspur looks on during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Middlesbrough at White Hart Lane on February 4, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Ian Walton/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 04: Harry Kane of Tottenham Hotspur looks on during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Middlesbrough at White Hart Lane on February 4, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Ian Walton/Getty Images) /
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Though both teams have struggled at times this season, Liverpool and Tottenham represent some of the best young talent in the Premier League.

Mauricio Pochettino and Jürgen Klopp are slowly building teams that, while already good right now, will become potentially great in the coming seasons. Watching Tottenham take on Liverpool now feels like a preview to a potentially big future rivalry.

While there plenty of players between the two teams that, improbably, have still yet to peak, there is also a sturdy reserve of veterans. Striking that balance between youth and experience is perhaps Pochettino and Klopp’s biggest strengths.

To better see how these two innovative managers do it, let’s figure a combined best XI between the two squads.

Liverpool/Spurs - Premier League - 11th February 2017 - Football tactics and formations
Liverpool/Spurs - Premier League - 11th February 2017 - Football tactics and formations /

Hugo Lloris –

The Tottenham captain would probably earn a place here regardless of the other team in a combined XI. He is rightfully regarded as one of the best keepers in Europe, though it helps here than Simon Mignolet is so wildly inconsistent.

James Milner –

Were Danny Rose fit, this would be no contest. With Ben Davies likely coming on in his stead, this nod here goes to James Milner. The England international’s switch from midfield to left-back this season has been a shocking success for Liverpool, and he will be sure to punish any lapse in Tottenham’s defense when going forward.

Joël Matip – 

Dejan Lovren should rightfully be included here too, but in terms of sheer promise it must go to Matip. The Cameroonian international only just arrived in the summer but he’s looking like a great acquisition for a team that desperately needed some solidity in defense.

Toby Alderweireld –

There’s no disputing at this point that the Belgian is the best centre-back in the league. How positioning and willingness to surge forward when in possession make him an invaluable component of Spurs’ best-in-the-league defense.

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Kyle Walker – 

Along with Rose, it feels like Walker is having a breakout year. Both players have been good for years, but this season they are finally revealing themselves as two of the most important players for Pochettino’s side.

Victor Wanyama –

There is no better fit in defense midfield for such a kinetic, high-tempo side as Spurs as Wanyama. The Kenyan is all-action, capable of cutting off attacks and sparking Tottenham’s transition back forward.

Coutinho –

The Brazilian is increasingly looking like one of the best transfers in recent seasons for Liverpool. He melds the role of goal scorer and goal creator supremely well, mostly thanks to his canny movement between the lines, on the flanks as well as through the center.

Christian Eriksen –

The Dane tends to lean more toward the creator side of things, but it’s not for lack of trying that he’s not as formidable a scoring threat. He frequently outshoots any other Tottenham player in any given match. If he could convert those shots into goals more often, he would be rightfully considered one of the best players in the league.

Sadio Mané –

Liverpool’s summer acquisition of the former Southampton man is already looking like one of the deals of the season. He is a menace going down the wing — a crucial talent given Spurs’ reliance on the attacking prowess of their own full-backs.

Next: Mauricio Pochettino Press Conference: Liverpool v Tottenham

Dele Alli –

January’s Premier League Player of the Month, Dele is one of the brightest young stars in football today. Come Saturday he will be one of the focal points on the pitch, both for Tottenham’s attack and Liverpool’s defense.

Harry Kane –

Liverpool lack a proper star centre-forward even if Roberto Firmino is filling in the role rather nicely of late. Kane, though, is hunting his second consecutive Golden Boot and will want to get back to scoring ways at Anfield.