Where do Chelsea have the edge over Liverpool? This combined XI highlights three positions | OneFootball

Chelsea have emerged as Liverpool‘s closest challengers for the Premier League title right now.

The Blues’ fans and players are adamant that they are not in the title race. But they currently sit second, four points behind leaders Liverpool — though the Reds do have a game in hand.

Chelsea closed the gap thanks to a 3-4 win over Tottenham Hotspur at the weekend, their first win against a Big Six side this season. Enzo Maresca’s side have only lost twice so far this season, to Liverpool and Manchester City.

Liverpool appear to be a level above, though. The Reds have won 11 of their opening 14 league games, with two draws and one defeat. They look to be a solid team under Arne Slot and are the ones to beat.

But would any Chelsea players get in Liverpool’s starting XI? We’ve used the Squawka Score to pick a Liverpool and Chelsea combined XI, using the best player from each position, with at least 630 league minutes played this season.

GK: Caoimhin Kelleher

Caoimhin Kelleher’s time as Liverpool’s starting goalkeeper is drawing to a close as Alisson nears full fitness. But the Irishman has proven that he is too good to be a backup goalkeeper. He has ensured Liverpool haven’t missed Alisson too much, prevented 0.2 goals per 90 minutes and conceding 1.13 goals per 90. Kelleher has saved 77.42% of the shots on target he has faced in the Premier League this season, averaging 3 saves per 90. He’s also saved a penalty.

RB: Trent Alexander-Arnold

There is no better right-back in the Premier League at the moment than Trent Alexander-Arnold. The Englishman has averaged 0.32 xA per 90 in the Premier League this season and 0.65 big chances created. His 1.39 successful passes into the penalty area per 90 is the most in the Premier League among full-backs with at least 630 minutes played. But Alexander-Arnold is also proving his doubters wrong when it comes to his defensive abilities. The Liverpool man has averaged 2.6 tackles won per 90, the second-most of any full-back in the Premier League this season.

CB: Ibrahima Konate

Ibrahima Konate’s recent injury was a blow to Liverpool, which goes to show just how important he has become to their backline. The Frenchman is no longer the liability some fans saw him to be. He’s strong in the duel, winning 82.35% of his aerial battles and 60.61% of his ground duels in the Premier League this season. Konate is tough to beat. But he can also move the ball about, completing 8.4 passes into the opposition half per 90, with a forward passing accuracy of 80.68%. He’s also made 3.69 clearances, and Liverpool will be counting down the days until he is back.

CB: Virgil van Dijk

No one will be surprised at this. There is only one centre-back with a higher Score than Virgil van Dijk in the Premier League this season. But he doesn’t play for Chelsea. Van Dijk has slightly less success in aerial duels than Konate with 73.77% won, but he has won 3.21 per 90, which is more. The Dutchman has also made 4.86 clearances per 90 in the Premier League this season, keeping the ball away from his goal. And, of course, he’s good on the ball averaging 10.86 passes into the opposition half completed per 90.

LB: Andrew Robertson

Andrew Robertson completes the Liverpool defence, as the third-best left-back in the Premier League right now. The Scot isn’t as attacking as his full-back partner, but still averages 0.35 big chances created per 90. On top of that, Robertson has featured in 15.13% of sequences that have ended in the final third while he has been on the pitch. Defensively, Robertson has a crucial last man tackle to his name.

DM: Ryan Gravenberch

There’s a case that Ryan Gravenberch is one of the best players in the Premier League this season. He’s definitely in the conversation for most-improved, given his early time at Liverpool. The Dutchman has averaged 2.04 interceptions per 90 in the Premier League this season, with 2.26 possessions won in the defensive third and 85.71% success rate in aerial duels. He’s proven tough to beat. Gravenberch is also showing his quality on the ball, with an 87.9% retention rate and 8.07 final third entries. The Dutchman has been generally solid at the base of Liverpool’s midfield.

DM: Moises Caicedo

Moises Caicedo may be another name mentioned for most-improved, though he has enjoyed a good 2024 as a whole. The first Chelsea name to get into the XI, the Ecuadorean has been integral to Chelsea’s improvements, particularly in midfield — when Maresca isn’t trying to play him at right-back. Caicedo has averaged 2.03 tackles won per 90 in the Premier League this season, while making 1.56 interceptions. He’s also only made 0.81 unsuccessful touches per 90, which is good for his position. Caicedo is growing on the ball too, with a retention rate of 88.25%, 8.07 final third entries and 6.17 passes into the final third completed.

RW: Mohamed Salah

Mohamed Salah is in the form of his life, proving just why it’s important that Liverpool offer him a new contract. The Egyptian is having a fantastic season, averaging 0.95 goals and 0.51 intentional assists per 90. While all assists count, intentional assists helps to see a player’s creativity, and the goals they meant to set up with passes. He has also created 0.51 big chances and has 0.59 assists from open play per 90. Of course, Salah’s a goal threat too, averaging 2.05 shots on target per 90. Salah is heavily involved, with his 9.74 touches in the opposition box the most of any player with at least 630 minutes played in the Premier League this season.

No.10: Cole Palmer

The best player in the Premier League right now according to Gus Poyet, and our Squawka Score. Cole Palmer scored twice for Chelsea in their win over Tottenham, both coming from the penalty spot. But he’s not just a penalty merchant. The Englishman has scored 0.76 goals per 90 with 0.35 intentional assists. But he has created 0.76 big chances per 90, suggesting that some of these chances haven’t been converted by his teammates. Palmer has also posted an xA of 0.25 per 90, with 0.42 through balls completed.

LW: Luis Diaz

Luis Diaz has been another strong and reliable player for Liverpool this season. The Colombian has slotted in well wherever Slot has wanted him, whether that be on the left wing or leading the line. Even when he’s been asked to come on as a substitute. Diaz has averaged 0.57 goals and 0.23 intentional assists per 90 in the Premier League this season, with 6.93 touches in the opposition box. Diaz’s best attribute has been his finishing, with 0.48 non-penalty xGOT and a shot placement ratio of 1.41. That means Diaz is improving his chances of scoring by where he places his shots.

ST: Nicolas Jackson

Believe it or not, Nicolas Jackson is the best striker in the Premier League right now per the Squawka Score. The Senegalese forward has truly proven his doubters wrong, becoming a more reliable finisher. He has averaged 0.65 goals per 90 this season from 0.6 non-penalty xG. His shot placement ratio is positive too, at 1.12. Jackson doesn’t even have the benefit of taking penalties, with 2.11 non-penalty shots on target per 90. He has a decent shooting accuracy of 58.82% and has scored 0.57 big chances per 90. Jackson has even chipped in with 0.24 intentional assists per 90.

*Using Bookmaker/Affiliate links on squawka.com may earn us a commission, at no additional cost to you. 18+ only. T&Cs apply. Please gamble responsibly. For more information, visit gambleaware.org.