Jorginho in, Sadio Mane out; Eden Hazard and Mohamed Salah take centre stage in Chelsea vs Liverpool combined XI

Jorginho in, Sadio Mane out; Eden Hazard and Mohamed Salah take centre stage in Chelsea vs Liverpool combined XI

The players on show in Chelsea's classic Carabao Cup victory over Liverpool have only just got their breath back - but the two sides are already preparing for this weekend's battle in the Premier League.

Eden Hazard stole the headlines with a world-class cameo appearance at Anfield and one of his finest ever goals to win the tie at the death for Maurizio Sarri's men.

While the teams at Stamford Bridge will be much changed from those that took to the field on Merseyside, Chelsea's progression to the fourth round may have given them the psychological edge ahead of Saturday.

In Liverpool, though, Chelsea are facing the the only team in the English top flight with a 100 per cent record.

The likes of Virgil van Dijk, Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino are expected to return to Jurgen Klopp's starting XI and the Reds will be hopeful of improving on last season's trip to Stamford Bridge.

Liverpool had 68 per cent of the possession but failed to capitalise and Olivier Giroud's 32nd-minute header was enough for Chelsea to come away with three points.

Two Chelsea players were selected in the FIFA FIFPro World XI on Monday night in Hazard and N'Golo Kante, but how many would make it into a combined XI with Liverpool based on current form?

Jorginho in, Sadio Mane out; Eden Hazard and Mohamed Salah take centre stage in Chelsea vs Liverpool combined XI

Goalkeeper

Jorginho in, Sadio Mane out; Eden Hazard and Mohamed Salah take centre stage in Chelsea vs Liverpool combined XI

Alisson's £66.8m move to Liverpool in July made the Brazilian the most expensive goalkeeper of all time but, just four weeks later, the record fee was broken as Kepa Arrizabalaga replaced Thibaut Courtois at Chelsea for £71.6m.

Liverpool's signing came with a bigger reputation after a stellar campaign in Italy with Roma, but his nervy start means Arrizabalaga gets the nod.

Despite being regarded as one of the finest 'keepers with the ball at his feet, Alisson's first few weeks in the Premier League have done little to convince fans that he is as composed as, say, Manchester City's Ederson.

Alisson gifted Leicester a goal with a calamitous mistake at the King Power Stadium and, while it didn't ultimately cost Liverpool, Arrizabalaga, for now at least, is the more steady pair of hands - and feet.

Defence

Jorginho in, Sadio Mane out; Eden Hazard and Mohamed Salah take centre stage in Chelsea vs Liverpool combined XI

Cesar Azpilicueta remains the most complete and versatile defender in the Premier League and pips Trent Alexander-Arnold to the right-back birth despite the youngster's promising early showings.

Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez have been imperious in central defence for Liverpool, with Klopp's side conceding only two goals thus far in the top division compared to Chelsea's four. David Luiz and Antonio Rudiger can count themselves unlucky in missing out.

On the left flank, Andrew Robertson has gone from strength to strength since his understated arrival on Merseyside and the Scot is undoubtedly one of the standout full-backs in Europe on current form.

Chelsea left-back Marcos Alonso would walk into any other combined XI in the English top flight.

Midfield

Jorginho in, Sadio Mane out; Eden Hazard and Mohamed Salah take centre stage in Chelsea vs Liverpool combined XI

Both Chelsea and Liverpool have an embarrassment of riches in their midfield ranks and any combination of players would be among the best in Europe.

New boys Naby Keita and Jorginho have both settled into the Premier League without breaking sweat meaning they make the cut.

The likes of James Milner, Jordan Henderson, Ross Barkley and Mateo Kovacic who have also had impressive campaigns and would not look out of place in this combined XI.

N'Golo Kante is a must-pick despite Sarri's persistence in playing the Frenchman further forward than his natural position.

Attack

Jorginho in, Sadio Mane out; Eden Hazard and Mohamed Salah take centre stage in Chelsea vs Liverpool combined XI

In Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane, Liverpool have arguably the most potent attack in world football but, unfortunately, one of them has to make way for Hazard.

As Mane has failed to find the back of the net since the start of September, Firmino keeps his place after two crucial goals for the Merseyside giants in recent weeks.

The Brazilian scored a dramatic last-gasp goal for three points against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League (with one eye!) before tapping in what turned out to be the winner against Tottenham.

Hazard, meanwhile, is the form player in England and Liverpool's defenders will be having nightmares in the lead-up to Saturday's clash.

- Metro.co.uk

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