Pundit omits Salah, goes with 7-4 split for Liverpool-Man City combined XI
Former England goalkeeper David James has left Mohamed Salah out of his combined XI of Liverpool and Manchester City players.
Liverpool travel to face Man City at the Etihad in a potential Premier League title decider on Sunday.
Ahead of this weekend, City are one point clear of Liverpool in the table with eight games to go.
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Salah has been one of the Premier League’s best players this season. His form has dipped of late though as he has not scored from open play in the league in four games.
The Egypt international is a notable omission from James’ team. The retired ‘keeper only included four Liverpool players.
James started by selecting Alisson over his compatriot Ederson:
“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 said (quotes via Daily Mail).
“I think in the last few games Ederson’s kicked the ball over the halfway line twice.
“I’d have Robertson at left-back over Joao Cancelo as he doesn’t shoot as much and therefore doesn’t give the ball away as much.
“I’d have Luis Diaz and Virgil van Dijk. I’d go Kyle Walker and the reason being is that there’s going to be a lot of space and he’ll need to get back and defend.
“I love Trent Alexander-Arnold going forward and he’s a decent defender, but I’d just edge Walker over him.
“I’ll go with all of the City midfield, so Rodri, KDB (Kevin De Bruyne) and Bernardo Silva in midfield.
“I’d go Raheem Sterling, Phil Foden and Luis Diaz up front, so no Mo Salah.
“But if you ask me again in half an hour, I’d probably say a completely different team!”
Elsewhere, former Liverpool defender Markus Babbel isn’t sure how Salah would get on in La Liga:
“It’s difficult to say from the outside. I know he’s a brilliant player for Liverpool. For me it’s a question of what he wants to do. Is he still happy at Liverpool or does he want to see something different?
“Not many clubs can afford him, Liverpool have said this is what you want, and this is what we can pay so now I hope they can agree terms.
“Mo Salah is the perfect player for Liverpool Football Club and I’m not sure he would perform like he does for a Barcelona, Real Madrid or another team out there.”
