Liverpool vs Arsenal: Combined XI

Ahead of Sunday’s visit of Arsenal to Anfield, we pick a combined XI from the two squads – read ours then share yours below.

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Sunday’s showdown on Merseyside is important for both the Reds and the Gunners, as the two battle for a place in top-four of the Premier League.

With Manchester United seemingly pulling clear in third and Southampton predictably falling away once injuries and suspensions have hit them, there is every chance that vital fourth Champions League spot could come down to Liverpool and Arsenal.

Both sides have some wonderful, and mediocre, talent at their disposal, but who makes it into a combined XI?

(NOTE: Assuming all players fit and on form)

GOALKEEPER- Wojciech Szczesny

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Like a few positions, neither Liverpool and Arsenal are exactly oozing world-class brilliance in goal. Szczesny has to get the nod though.

The 24-year-old Poland international can make the odd howler but he is consistent on the whole, while Simon Mignolet and Brad Jones are both total disaster areas for the Reds.

RIGHT-BACK- Mathieu Debuchy

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Debuchy is not as solid as Bacary Sagna was for Arsene Wenger’s side, but the France international still has plenty of attacking quality and defensive resilience.

Glen Johnson remains increasingly erratic week in, week out, while Javier Manquillo is still very much maturing as a player. Jon Flanagan would be the closest to ousting the Frenchman, but he is still not the finished article.

CENTRE-BACK- Laurent Koscielny

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The 29-year-old has matured into one of the finest centre-backs in the Premier League, and Arsenal struggle hugely without him. He is one of their most influential players.

Although predominantly left-sided, he can slot comfortably in on the right in place of teammate Per Mertesacker, who reads the game well but is so slow it’s problematic.

CENTRE-BACK- Mamadou Sakho

Sakho is comfortably Liverpool’s best centre-back, and his lack of playing time even when fit is completely baffling.

The 24-year-old is dominant in the air, good on the ball and generally commanding. Martin Skrtel is too erratic, Kolo Toure is past his best and Dejan Lovren has been abysmal in a Reds shirt so far.

LEFT-BACK- Kieran Gibbs

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The Englishman is arguably the Gunners’ most underrated player, and has been terrific for them for a number of years now.

Gibbs may not be as adventurous going forward as Alberto Moreno, but he is underrated in that area and very solid defensively. Jose Enrique and Nacho Monreal are lacking.

CENTRE MIDFIELD- Jordan Henderson

Henderson might not be having the greatest of seasons, but he is still undoubtedly one of the first names on Brendan Rodgers‘ team-sheet. The 24-year-old offers energy, drive, understated creativity and the odd goal here and there.

Mikel Arteta and Mathieu Flamini are limited, as is Lucas Leiva, while Steven Gerrard, despite his enduring quality on the ball, is not the force he once was.

CENTRE MIDFIELD- Aaron Ramsey

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Like Henderson, Ramsey has not had the outstanding season he did in 2013/14 to date. On his day he is a fabulous footballer though.

The Wales international has tremendous technical ability, brilliant fitness and an eye for the spectacular. He is the standout central midfielder from either side. Jack Wilshere needs to improve his consistency and attitude if he is to reach Ramsey’s level.

ATTACKING MIDFIELD- Mesut Ozil

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Admittedly, the German World Cup winner has not featured for a while because of injury, and has struggled for form in an Arsenal shirt, but he is a world-class player when on top of his game.

The 26-year-old has superb creativity and touch, and the number of assists he racks up are often not fully appreciated. He divides opinion, but he is a class act. Philippe Coutinho, Adam Lallana and Santi Cazorla miss out.

RIGHT FORWARD- Alexis Sanchez

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The former Barcelona star has been one of the outstanding players in the Premier League this season, dragging Arsenal through games with his skill, goals and fantastic work ethic. Remind you of anyone?

Liverpool tried to sign the 25-year-old in the summer but lost out to the north Londoners; what a signing he would have been.

The likes of Theo Walcott, Lazar Markovic and Lukas Podolski are all talented in their own right, but not close to the Chilean’s world-class level.

LEFT FORWARD- Raheem Sterling

Sterling is the most exciting young player in the country at the moment, and such has been his meteoric rise, he is now extremely key for both Liverpool and England. The 20-year-old’s form may have dipped at times this season, but that happens to every player.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is another Englishman with great potential, but he is not as much of an all-round threat as Sterling currently.

STRIKER- Daniel Sturridge

The 25-year-old has been a monumental loss to the Reds this season, and his return from injury can’t come soon enough. His finishing, pace and movement are outstanding, and he will only improve in the coming years.

Mario Balotelli is clearly a big talent but he is far too unpredictable, while Danny Welbeck and Olivier Giroud having some good attributes but are not top class strikers.

What would your combined Liverpool and Arsenal XI be? Let us know in the comments section.

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Liverpool legends live in Australia: 4 tickets up for grabs!

We’ve teamed up with 5 Times to offer Liverpool fans down under the incredible chance to see Robbie Fowler, Didi Hamann and Jason McAteer live at a venue near you. Read on for more details…

Following successful evenings with Liverpool FC legends in talk in Europe, 5 Times are coming to Australia for a series of three very special nights in January 2015.

Starring Robbie Fowler with 183 goals for the Reds, hero of Istanbul, Didi Hamann and former Republic of Ireland international Jason McAteer, the tour will start at the Enmore Theatre in Sydney on Saturday, 3rd January 2015 .

The not-to-be-missed legends will move on to the Arkaba Hotel in Adelaide on Monday, 5th January Grand Hyatt Hotel in Melbourne on Wednesday, 7th January , before finishing at the Hyatt Regency in Perth on Thursday 8th January .

The lads will be sharing their brilliant and hilarious stories of yesteryear, what life was really like at Anfield and let you in on a few footballer’s secrets! There’s also the chance for you to put your questions to the legends in a Q&A session. It’ll certainly be an evening to remember for all Liverpool fans!

Tickets and meet and greet tickets are available now, but they’re going fast!

• Fowler, Hamann and McAteer live in Sydney


• Fowler, Hamann and McAteer live in Adelaide


• Fowler, Hamann and McAteer live in Melbourne


• Fowler, Hamann and McAteer live in Perth

We’ve got four tickets to the nights at your city of choice up for grabs. Simply answer the question below correctly to be entered into the 5 Times prize draw. Closing date is Tuesday, 23rd December. Good luck!

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Fabian Delph to Liverpool link returns

Liverpool are again being linked with Aston Villa and England midfielder Fabian Delph.

The 25-year-old was first linked last month, with reports then suggesting that the player had told Villa he had no intention to sign a new deal at the club, with his contract expiring in the summer.

Delph, who This Is Anfield’s Jack Lusby describes as “poor man’s James Milner” in his analysis, is now linked in The Mirror – who claim Liverpool could look to sign him in January.

They write that Villa will consider allowing Delph, and defender Ron Vlaar, to leave in January in order to avoid seeing them leave for free in the summer. James Nursey writes that Delph will be the successor to Steven Gerrard:

“He is now fit again and team-mates reckon he is turning into an all-round box-to-box midfielder with surging runs reminiscent of Gerrard in his pomp.”

Mind you, Nursey also writes that Brendan Rodgers has “frequently benched” Gerrard this season. Not sure how three times in 23 games constitutes frequently.

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Mario Balotelli accepts ban — but could face further punishment

Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli will not appeal against his one-match ban imposed for posting racist and anti-semitic comments on social media.

The Italy international was given the suspension, a £25,000 fine and will have to attend an education course following the decision of an independent disciplinary panel.

The panel issued the punishment on Thursday after the 24-year-old admitted to an aggravated breach of Football Association Rule E3, relating to references of ethnic origin, colour, race, nationality or religion or belief, after his posting of an image of computer game character Super Mario on Instagram which included the words "jumps like a black man and grabs coins like a Jew".

It means he will miss Sunday's visit of Arsenal, although there were doubts over his fitness anyway as he did not travel to Bournemouth for the Reds' 3-1 Capital One Cup victory on Wednesday because he was having treatment on a groin injury.

Having submitted detailed mitigation, Balotelli apologised again after the verdict.

"Following the recent events related to my 'Super Mario' post, the FA decision has made clear that it was wrong," he wrote on Twitter.

"I am sorry that my team-mates and supporters of Liverpool FC have to be penalised for something I did and now come to regret.

"It is my intention to comply with the decision of the FA and make sure it never happens again."

He could, however, face further internal sanctions as the club said they had not ruled out action against him.

"The club acknowledges the decision reached by the independent panel and due consideration will be given to the written judgement once we receive it from the FA," said a Liverpool spokesman.

"Any further action taken by ourselves in relation to this matter is between the club and player."

The day after his posting – which he quickly deleted – Balotelli apologised, writing on Twitter: "I apologize if I've offended anyone. The post was meant to be anti-racist with humour. I now understand that out of context (it) may have the opposite effect."

In a statement the FA said: "Following an independent regulatory commission hearing today Mario Balotelli has been fined B£25,000, suspended for one match with immediate effect, subject to any appeal, and warned as to his future conduct after he admitted breaching FA rules in relation to social media.

"The charge was that an image the Liverpool player posted on social media was abusive and/or insulting and/or improper, contrary to FA rule E3(1).

"Furthermore, the posting was considered to be an "aggravated breach" as defined in FA rule E3(2) in that it included a reference to ethnic origin and/or colour and/or race and/or nationality and/or religion or belief.

"Mr Balotelli has also been ordered to attend an education programme."

PA

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Mario Balotelli handed one match ban

Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli has been banned for one match, fined £25,000 and ordered to attend to an education course after making racist and anti-semitic comments on social media.

The Italy international last week accepted a charge of an aggravated breach of Football Association rule E3, relating to references of ethnic origin, colour, race, nationality or religion or belief, after his posting of an image of computer game character Super Mario on Instagram which included the words "jumps like a black man and grabs coins like a Jew".

Balotelli did not request a personal hearing but submitted written mitigation to an independent disciplinary panel.

The FA said in a statement: "Following an independent regulatory commission hearing today Mario Balotelli has been fined B£25,000, suspended for one-match with immediate effect, subject to any appeal, and warned as to his future conduct after he admitted breaching FA rules in relation to social media.

"The charge was that an image the Liverpool player posted on social media was abusive and/or insulting and/or improper, contrary to FA rule E3(1).

"Furthermore, the posting was considered to be an "aggravated breach" as defined in FA rule E3(2) in that it included a reference to ethnic origin and/or colour and/or race and/or nationality and/or religion or belief.

"Mr Balotelli has also been ordered to attend an education programme."

Liverpool said they were awaiting the full written verdict from the panel but did not rule out further action against the player by the club.

A Liverpool spokesman said: "The club acknowledges the decision reached by the independent panel and due consideration will be given to the written judgement once we receive it from the FA.

"Any further action taken by ourselves in relation to this matter is between the club and player."

The day after his posting – which he quickly deleted – Balotelli apologised by writing on Twitter: "I apologize if I've offended anyone. The post was meant to be anti-racist with humour. I now understand that out of context (it) may have the opposite effect."

Balotelli, 24, deleted the offending post as criticism began to mount but FA guidelines state that "deleting an inappropriate posting, whilst advisable, does not necessarily prevent disciplinary action being taken".

The striker will now miss Liverpool's match at home to Arsenal on Sunday, subject to any appeal.

PA

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Premier League: Mario Balotelli handed one-match ban for social media post

Mario Balotelli: One-match ban for Liverpool striker

Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli has been handed a one-match ban by the Football Association following his controversial post on social media.

The 24-year-old has also been fined £25,000 and he will have to attend an education course.

A Liverpool spokesperson told Sky Sports News HQ: "The club acknowledges the decision reached by the independent panel and due consideration will be given to the written judgement once we receive it from the FA.

“Any further action taken by ourselves in relation to this matter is between the club and player."

Balotelli was accused of an aggravated rule breach after posting a cartoon message which made reference to racial stereotypes. He later apologised and argued the post was meant as a humorous anti-racist message.

The Italian accepted the charge and wrote a letter to the FA in mitigation.

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Liverpool: Kolo Toure says Adam Lallana is player of season

Adam Lallana: Replaced at half-time against Man United

Kolo Toure has named Adam Lallana as Liverpool's player of the season despite Raheem Sterling's eye-catching form.

Lallana has started only nine Premier League games since his £25m move from Southampton and was replaced at half-time of Sunday's 3-0 defeat to Manchester United; he was also left on the bench for Liverpool's must-win clash with Basel in the Champions League.

While Lallana has scored or assisted just three Premier League goals this season, Sterling has contributed to seven goals.

But Toure said after Wednesday night's Capital One Cup win over Bournemouth: "We are very happy with everyone’s performance. But, for me, Adam Lallana has been the best player in this Liverpool team this year. Definitely."

Toure also spoke warmly about another one of Brendan Rodgers's summer signings who scored against the Cherries, saying: "I am very proud of (Lazar) Markovic.

"Since he came here, he hasn’t had a lot of chances to play but he’s shown great character and worked hard in training. He is a great boy, works hard, is very quick and technically is very, very good."

He also had words of praise for Sterling: "He is a fantastic boy and a fantastic player. He is playing in a different position, which is not easy to adapt to in two games, but he scored twice.

"We will see a lot to come from him because he is a great player and a great boy as well, very intelligent."

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