Chelsea v Liverpool combined XI: Phil Thompson picks his team

We challenged Anfield legend Phil Thompson to pick his best XI from Chelsea and Liverpool's squads ahead of their Friday Night Football clash.

There is no room for last weekend's two-goal hero Roberto Firmino or Daniel Sturridge as Thommo picks a slight majority of Chelsea players, with six to Liverpool's five.

Friday Night Football is subject to the latest round of Sky Sports Fantasy Six-a-Side, with £5,000 up for grabs for the highest scoring team. 

Fantasy Six-a-Side

Who makes your best Chelsea v Liverpool VI? Pick your team here.

Here's Thommo's line-up in full...

GOALKEEPER

Thibaut Courtois is a no-brainer. He has perhaps not been as comfortable as I would've thought since coming back from injury, but I would probably have him as the second best goalkeeper in the Premier League behind David de Gea.

Simon Mignolet has done alright. He's not done anything wrong, has made some good saves and couldn't really fault him for the goals against Burnley, but it will be a big call for Jurgen Klopp once Loris Karius is fit.

DEFENCE

Nathaniel Clyne is without a doubt one of the best right-backs in the league. It's probably a toss up between him and Kyle Walker as to who the best is. A couple of years ago you would have had Branislav Ivanovic in your team, but he's no longer at the peak of his powers and, like many Chelsea players, had a difficult first half of last season.

On the left it would be Cesar Azpilicueta. He's not a very offensive option but it's difficult to pick James Milner, who is in that role because Klopp doesn't have confidence in Alberto Moreno.

Then, in the middle, I've got Dejan Lovren and John Terry. Lovren has had a great start to the season and I've always been a big admirer of Terry. He will be a big miss and Antonio Conte probably wouldn't have wanted to draft David Luiz in for a game like this, although you can't really spend £30m on a player and not play them.

Thommo's tips

Find out what Thommo is tipping up for the Stamford Bridge clash here.

MIDFIELD

I've gone for N'Golo Kante sitting behind four attacking midfielders. He picks himself and is one of the best if not the best at what he does.

Then on the left is Chelsea's main threat, Eden Hazard. He looks like he's nearly back to his best. You wonder what was in his mind to make his form dip in form so much last season. 

On the right is Sadio Mane. I was among those who thought we'd overspent on him but he's made a blistering start and is proving a snip at £34m when you consider the money that was spent over the summer. 

Then more centrally I've got two top quality players, in Philippe Coutinho and Willian. These two Brazilians would have some fight for the ball for set-pieces.

ATTACK

Diego Costa gets the nod to lead my line because of his presence. His aggressive attitude is relentless and I can't knock the lad after how much I loved Luis Suarez. The Liverpool defenders are going to have to concentrate and be ready for a physical battle. He's always up for a fight but you've got to keep your composure around him.

Firmino is unlucky to be out of the side. He is a really clever, good footballer and played as a deep-lying striker when they got the 3-1 victory at Stamford Bridge last season, which was Klopp's first Premier League win.

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Fantasy Six-a-Side

Think you can pick a better side? Select your team here.