2 weeks ago
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Alan Shearer has selected 10 Liverpool players in his combined line-up with Manchester United, ahead of the team's Premier League clash at Anfield, but has chosen to overlook Alexander Isak.
The fierce North West rivals are set to face off on Sunday, with Arne Slot's side looking to bounce back from a string of three consecutive losses that have seen the champions toppled from the top spot by Arsenal.
United has had a challenging start to the season, suffering a surprise defeat in the League Cup at the hands of Grimsby, but managed a 2-0 victory over newly-promoted Sunderland in the team's last match before the international break.
These contrasting fortunes have led Shearer to favor Liverpool heavily when selecting a combined team from both clubs, with Luke Shaw - chosen over Milos Kerkez for the left-back position - being the sole United player to make the cut.
However, the former Newcastle striker has decided to snub Isak, having previously criticized the manner in which the Swedish international departed Tyneside for Liverpool on deadline day in September.
Instead, Shearer has picked Hugo Ekitike to spearhead the attack, flanked by Mohamed Salah on the right and Cody Gakpo on the left.
Florian Wirtz has also been overlooked, with Dominik Szoboszlai chosen for the midfield alongside Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch, Alisson Becker in goal, and the defense rounded off by Conor Bradley, Virgil van Dijk, and Ibrahima Konate.
Looking ahead to the fixture, Shearer remarked: "Liverpool v Man United is always big because of the size of both clubs and former players will always tell you that the fixture is huge and one they look out for which means so much to both sets of fans and players.
"With Liverpool have lost three on the spin which no-one saw coming and Man United being the way they are, there's no doubt there is extra spice to this game. It's a game that both teams have to go and win for different reasons.
"International breaks are always tricky because as a manager and club, you want to sit and work or go on the training ground and work on what's gone wrong but it's difficult when you've got so many international players away.
"It would've been a tricky two weeks for Slot and (Manchester United boss Ruben) Amorim."
Speaking to Betfair, Shearer added: "If Slot has a full squad to pick from then it wouldn't surprise me if he went back again to what worked for him again last season, particularly in such a volatile fixture.
"Man United would snap your hand off for a point, there's no doubt about that. It's easier said than done though because as we said, the noise around this fixture is great and there'll be a great atmosphere at Anfield. There always is."
Alan Shearer's combined Liverpool/Manchester United XI: Alisson Becker; Conor Bradley, Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate, Luke Shaw; Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister, Ryan Gravenberch; Mohamed Salah, Hugo Ekitike, Cody Gakpo
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