GK: Adrian
The West Ham number one has saved three consecutive Premier League penalties, an accolade that no other shot stopper can boast. He will unfortunately be absent for the domestic encounter this weekend due to suspension, however this does not detract anything from his thoroughly impressive overall ability.
RB: Nathaniel Clyne
Having had a terrific 2014/15 campaign for Ronald Koeman’s Southampton, Clyne subsequently made the move to Anfield and has not conceded a single goal since joining Brendan Rodgers’ side. His bursting attacking runs are also a huge benefit to any team.
CB: Martin Skrtel
Slovakia’s finest faces little competition to get into this side. His fellow team-mates Mamadou Sakho and Dejan Lovren have struggled to keep any real consistent form, whilst Skrtel has been the most reliable defender at the club since he signed.
CB: Winston Reid
It is no coincidence that prior to the Kiwi signing his new contract at the club, he was linked with various Champions League outfits. However, his aerial prowess and defensive leadership skills have gone from strength to strength, earning him a place in this eleven.
LB: Aaron Cresswell
Cresswell was tipped by many last season to get a call-up to Roy Hodgson’s national setup, but with the plethora of English left-backs at his disposal, he was rather unlucky to miss out. In addition to his defensive capabilities, Cresswell’s sweet left foot makes him a real danger from set plays too.
LDM: Cheikhou Kouyate
Kouyate joined West Ham from Anderlecht last summer, and has showed great versatility as he can play as either a centre-back or a defensive midfielder. He already has two goals and one assist in the first three league games.
RDM: Jordan Henderson
Liverpool’s captain, the central midfield player is often expected to step up to the plate following Steven Gerrard’s departure to the MLS in America. His drilled passes can split open any defence within the blink of an eye.
RAM: Dimitri Payet
No player has created more chances than the Frenchman in Europe’s top five leagues since 2011, and that is indeed what this player is all about. Every set piece should be treated like a penalty when this man is hovering over the ball, whether it is a free-kick or a corner.
CAM: Philippe Coutinho
Having featured in the Team of the Year as well as being nominated for the Player of the Year award, Coutinho is blossoming into something special. He scored the winner for Liverpool with an absolute screamer on the opening match-day of the season vs Stoke City.
LAM: Adam Lallana
Injury hampered the midfielder’s debut season in Merseyside, but the campaign prior at Southampton showed what the Englishman is all about. Goals and assists aplenty, the brilliant weaving runs and final balls gave Lallana a crack at World Cup football in Brazil last summer.
ST: Christian Benteke
Benteke showed the form of two seasons ago when Tim Sherwood took over at Aston Villa, and boy did he bounce back. The big Belgian beast has scored double figures in the English top tier in every season since 2012, and netted for the Reds on his Anfield debut.
