Sky Sports pundit Matthew Upson has named his combined Liverpool and Manchester City XI ahead of the two sides meeting at Anfield on Sunday.
The ex-England international chose Alisson Becker, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Joel Matip, Virgil van Dijk, Andy Robertson, and Sadio Mane for his team, but left out key Kop talents Mo Salah and Roberto Firmino, as per Sky Sports.
Despite both being in fine form, Upson elected to omit the duo, who are paid £380,000-a-week between them, as per Spotrac.
From City’s squad, Upson selected Kevin De Bruyne, Fernandinho, David Silva, Raheem Sterling, and Sergio Aguero.
? Liverpool at the back
? Man City in attackAhead of their Super Sunday meeting, Matt Upson has picked his Liverpool v Man City combined XI
Who would you bring in? ?
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) November 5, 2019
OPINION
This will no doubt have many Liverpool fans foaming at the mouth. After all, Salah and Firmino are two of their most integral players, and certainly two of the most dangerous attacking talents in the Premier League on their day. Arguably just as shocking, however, is the decision to choose Fernandinho over Fabinho. This time last year, nobody would have batted an eyelid at that decision, but now, with the Kop ace in the ascendancy, it feels like a real oversight from Upson. So far this term, Fabinho has made more tackles, more more interceptions, more appearances, and more key passes than his compatriot, as per Whoscored. And Fernandinho is still an integral member of this City squad, you would surely struggle to find many neutrals who wouldn’t want the younger, more exciting talent.
