We’ve delved into all of the stats using the Squawka Comparison Matrix to pick out a combined Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur XI ahead of the Premier League clash on Sunday.
Check the stats and see our eventual combined XI below. The players we’ve chosen to compare are a combination of the team’s most used XI so far this season and predicted lineups for the match itself.
Goalkeeper: Giorgi Mamardashvili vs Guglielmo Vicario
This is a tough comparison to make, because one team has been so much more defensively busy than the other. Guglielmo Vicario has actually kept more clean sheets and conceded fewer goals per 90 minutes than Giorgi Mamardashvili. However, when he’s been called to deputise for Alisson, the Georgia international has made more saves and recoveries. And he’s superior when it comes to save percentage and pass completion.
Winner: Giorgi Mamardashvili
Right-back: Jeremie Frimpong vs Djed Spence
This is a clash between two sides with numerous injuries to deal with, including at full-back. With that in mind, right-back pits Jeremie Frimpong against Djed Spence.
The latter has been far busier defensively, and he is definitely a superior option in that regard. However, despite not yet showing his best form in a red shirt, the former has posted far better numbers when it comes to chance creation, dribbling and wider dynamism around the ball.
So while defending is still vital for any full-back, it’s the attacking play that wins the day.
Winner: Jeremie Frimpong
Centre-backs: Virgil van Dijk vs Kevin Danso vs Ibrahima Konate vs Radu Dragusin
Igor Tudor will likely play a back five at Anfield, but with Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven and Ben Davies all sidelined, Pedro Porro will likely fill the right side. However, the Spaniard has played so much as a right-back this season that it feels unfair to add him to a centre-back comparison.
It’ll come as absolutely no surprise to see Virgil van Dijk utterly dominating here, especially in the air and when it comes to passing. But next to the Dutchman, it’s Kevin Danso who acts as the second centre-back, with the Austria international sitting first among this quartet for tackles, clearances and ball recoveries per 90.
Winners: Virgil van Dijk, Kevin Danso
Left-back: Milos Kerkez vs Souza
Souza has played just 88 minutes for Tottenham and is still adjusting to English football after his January move from Santos. But unless Tudor puts Archie Gray at full-back, he will be called upon at Anfield.
However, when it comes to him and Milos Kerkez, the latter unsurprisingly takes it by a landslide, beating Souza’s small sample size in every category apart from chances created and interceptions.
Winner: Milos Kerkez
Central midfielders: Ryan Gravenberch vs Pape Sarr vs Dominik Szoboszlai vs Archie Gray
In another universe, the likes of James Maddison, Joao Palhinha, Lucas Bergvall and Rodrigo Bentancur aren’t injured, and Tottenham have a fighting chance here.
However, in reality, Ryan Gravenberch unsurprisingly dominates. And while Pape Sarr and Dominik Szoboszlai both come out on top in two categories each, the latter’s numbers are far more impressive across the board.
Archie Gray has done an admirable job for Tottenham. But the 20-year-old shouldn’t be shouldering so much responsibility.
Winners: Ryan Gravenberch, Dominik Szoboszlai
Attacking midfielder: Alexis Mac Allister, Conor Gallagher, Richarlison
Neither Conor Gallagher nor Richarlison are conventional attacking midfielders, but the former’s work rate and pressing will be important at Anfield, while the latter will make late runs to support Dominic Solanke up-front — and has a habit of scoring against his former Merseyside rivals.
Alexis Mac Allister is the standout among these three when it comes to through balls and tackles. However, Gallagher has actually been the superior force when it comes to chances created, dribbling, fouls drawn and ground duels. Richarlison has been more active around the box, but that’s because he’s also operated a lot as a striker.
Winner: Conor Gallagher
Right winger: Mohamed Salah vs Mathys Tel
When everyone is fit, there is good competition for this position. However, Mohamed Salah is the only natural right winger available in either squad right now.
Mathys Tel has filled in on the flanks when required, and while the French youngster does have impressive dribbling numbers, he’s just not in the same league as Mohamed Salah, especially in this position.
Winner: Mohamed Salah
Striker: Hugo Ekitike vs Dominic Solanke
Dominic Solanke has endured his own share of injury problems, but has improved recently with two goals in his last two games across all competitions, and six in 12 since the turn of the year.
However, he cannot compete with Hugo Ekitike. While all the focus was on Alexander Isak’s summer arrival, it was Liverpool’s fellow signing who stole the goalscoring show. Ekitike is still scoring at a steady rate, while he’s notched four assists and has been a menace when isolating defenders one-on-one.
Winner: Hugo Ekitike
Left winger: Cody Gakpo vs Xavi Simons vs Randal Kolo Muani
Tottenham have the same issue on the left as they do on the right when it comes to injuries. However, Randal Kolo Muani has seen plenty of minutes there this campaign, while Xavi Simons has also switched between there and central positions.
Both have their merits, but neither can touch Cody Gakpo when it comes to raw output in the final third, while the Dutchman’s 55.32% take-on success is an indicator of how dangerous and unpredictable he can be — even if he sometimes frustrates Liverpool fans.
Winner: Cody Gakpo
