{"id":1422580,"date":"2026-01-07T10:15:19","date_gmt":"2026-01-07T10:15:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/?post_type=features&p=1422580"},"modified":"2026-01-07T10:15:20","modified_gmt":"2026-01-07T10:15:20","slug":"arsenal-vs-liverpool-comparison-matrix-combined-xi","status":"publish","type":"features","link":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/arsenal-vs-liverpool-comparison-matrix-combined-xi\/","title":{"rendered":"Arsenal vs Liverpool: The Comparison Matrix combined XI for Premier League clash"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

We\u2019ve delved into all of the stats using the Squawka Comparison Matrix to pick out a combined Arsenal and Liverpool XI ahead of the Premier League clash on Thursday night.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Check the stats and see our eventual combined XI below. The players we\u2019ve chosen to compare are a combination of the team\u2019s most used XI so far this season and predicted lineups for the match itself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Goalkeeper: David Raya vs Alisson<\/h3>\n\n\n
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These are two of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League right now. But it may be a surprise to see to see Allison coming out on top. He is pretty evenly matched with David Raya, and the Brazilian leads in just one extra metric.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While Alisson is the busier when it comes to saves, Raya has a better success rate. Alisson is also better in most of the passing metrics, enough to edge the battle. But, it’s worth noting that Raya does lead in the actual shot-stopping and goal preventing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Winner: <\/strong>Alisson<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Right-back: Jurrien Timber vs Conor Bradley<\/h3>\n\n\n
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Another interesting result, Conor Bradley wins the battle of the right-backs. The Liverpool man excels in the defensive side of the game, averaging 2.5 clearances per 90 minutes and 1.3 interceptions. Jurrien Timber isn’t as busy for Arsenal, with 2.0 clearances per 90 and 0.9 interceptions. Things are a lot closer on ball recoveries, but Bradley still takes that battle with 4.3 per 90 to Timber’s 3.7.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now, Timber does come out significantly better on chances created at 1.1 per 90 to 0.5, though Bradley attempts more crosses. Timber also makes more tackles, but Bradley wins more of his ground duels. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Winner: <\/strong>Conor Bradley<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n

Centre-backs: William Saliba vs Gabriel vs Ibrahima Konate vs Virgil van Dijk<\/h3>\n\n\n
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This is another case of busier defenders coming out on top. You’d expect to see Virgil van Dijk ranking well, and he leads on four different metrics. His 7.7 clearances is the best in that defensive stat, while he is also best for success in the air and on the ground, and forward passing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And when you take Van Dijk out of the comparison, his partner Ibrahima Konate bests Arsenal’s first-choice centre-backs. That’s the real surprise, but again it comes down to Liverpool being busier defensively. Arsenal’s tactics are so good they don’t require their centre-backs to get heavily involved. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Winners: <\/strong>Ibrahima Konate & Virgil van Dijk<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Left-back: Piero Hincapie vs Milos Kerkez<\/h3>\n\n\n
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Riccardo Calafiori will miss this game through injury, which is a big blow for Arsenal. Piero Hincapie has stepped in to replace him at left-back, with mixed results so far. Given his spells at centre-back, Hincapie ranks well defensively with 4.6 clearances per 90 and 1.3 interceptions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But because Milos Kerkez has a full season at left-back under his belt, the Hungarian comes out on top. His 1.0 chances created per 90 and 3.8 crosses attempted do the trick — as does his success in ground duels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Winner: <\/strong>Milos Kerkez<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Defensive midfielder: Martin Zubimendi vs Ryan Gravenberch<\/h3>\n\n\n
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Moving into the midfield, Martin Zubimendi is Arsenal’s holding man while Ryan Gravenberch is the more defensive of Liverpool’s double pivot. And, again, it’s the Liverpool man who comes out on top. Zubimendi leads the battle on tackles made at 1.8 per 90 to Gravenberch’s 1.6, and he also edges on aerial duel success rate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But Gravenberch excels elsewhere. He averages 1.5 interceptions per 90, 4.5 ball recoveries and 4.7 duels won. Gravenberch also comes out on top for the on-the-ball metrics, including 1.0 chances created and take-ons completed per 90.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Winner: <\/strong>Ryan Gravenberch<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Central midfielders: Martin Odegaard vs Declan Rice vs Alexis Mac Allister<\/h3>\n\n\n
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There’s no surprise that Declan Rice takes one of the two central midfield spots. He’s arguably the best in his position in the league this season. The Arsenal man comes out on top in every metric but one against teammate Martin Odegaard and Alexis Mac Allister. Rice is an all-rounder, making 5.4 ball recoveries and 1.1 interceptions per 90, while also completing 89.49% of his passes and 16.3 forward passes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Things are a lot more equal when it comes to Odegaard and Mac Allister. The Arsenal man makes more forward passes but Mac Allister has better overall passing accuracy. Odegaard also leads for tackles made and ball recoveries, but his Liverpool counterpart wins more duels and is more successful in the air. In the end, Odegaard does just about edge it, though.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Winners: <\/strong>Declan Rice & Martin Odegaard<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n

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