Monday 24 August 2015 20:00, UK
Ahead of Liverpool's trip to Arsenal on Monday Night Football, we challenged pundit Phil Thompson to pick his best combined XI from the two current squads.
The Soccer Saturday panellist has built his side around an all-Liverpool spine of Martin Skrtel, James Milner and Christian Benteke but has left out Arsenal's World Cup winner Per Mertesacker and striker Olivier Giroud.
The three-time European Cup winner has instead gone for a side packed with creativity and flair, with Arsenal trio Santi Cazorla, Alexis Sanchez, Mesut Ozil and Liverpool's Brazilian Philippe Coutinho in a five-man midfield.
THOMMO'S COMBINED XI (4-5-1): Cech, Clyne, Skrtel, Koscielny, Monreal, Milner, Coutinho, Cazorla, Sanchez, Ozil, Benteke
Despite Liverpool keeping two clean sheets in their opening matches, the Liverpool legend has named Petr Cech ahead of Simon Mignolet in goal.
Cech came in for criticism for his performance on his Gunners debut but Thompson has kept faith with the former Chelsea keeper.
Thommo told Sky Sports: "He's had some stick so far but it's early days so I'm sticking with Petr Cech because of what he did with Chelsea and the vast number of trophies he's won."
Liverpool's summer signing Nathaniel Clyne gets the nod at right back with Skrtel partnering Laurent Koscielny and Nacho Monreal edging out Joe Gomez for the left-back slot.
"Clyne is going to be the England right-back for many years to come. I think Skrtel and Koscielny would be a good partnership. I like the way Skrtel plays; he's aggressive, while Koscielny gives a lot more pace than Mertesacker and he's a top class defender.
"Joe Gomez has done very well in the games so far but I think the experience on Monreal at left-back would edge it for me, and he's done very well so far this season."
Thompson has picked an exciting five-man midfield built around Liverpool's new signing Milner but there's no place for Reds captain Jordan Henderson or Arsenal's Aaron Ramsey.
"Milner is my anchorman. Either side of him I'd have Cazorla and Coutinho with Sanchez to the right and Ozil to the left. I've gone for creativity with the combative Milner holding them, there's so much ability in there," added the former England defender.
"I think Ozil has done well this season. He's not had to cope with any World Cup hangover."
Thommo admits he agonised over who would get the nod up front but has picked Benteke ahead of Arsenal's Giroud.
"My one striker is difficult. I really like Giroud but I'd have to go for Benteke. He gives a bit more and he'll probably get more goals than Giroud this season. He's had a good start to his Liverpool career," added the former England man.
"Once the other players get to know him and work with him he will only get better. There are so many flick-ons. He's as good at holding up the ball as Giroud."
Thommo is backing a 2-2 draw at 12/1 with Sky Bet on Monday night with Benteke netting the first goal at 6/1.
