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Peter Crouch says Tottenham man would start for Liverpool, picks combined XI
that he thinks Tottenham Hotspur defender Toby Alderweireld would start for Liverpool at this moment in time given the Reds’ injury problems – and picked his combined XI.
Liverpool travel south to North London ahead of Thursday night’s clash between the two sides, which sees fifth face sixth. The reverse fixture saw both sides have chances before a Roberto Firmino header earned Jurgen Klopp’s men a 2-1 win.
Liverpool are expect to have Joel Matip available for the trip but are likely to have midfielder Fabinho in defence once again – with Nat Phillips and Rhys Williams on the bench. Jordan Henderson has been filling in of late, at centre-back.
This is of course, because Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez are unavailable due to injuries. Crouch thinks Alderweireld – who was bought for £11.5million in 2015 () – would start for Liverpool. He picked just three Spurs players in his combined XI.
“Alderweireld has got to be in there I think,” “I think he’d be in the Liverpool side now wouldn’t he, if he was playing for them. He’s definitely got to be in there, and Eric Dier has played well this year, too.”
Combined XI: Alisson; Trent Alexander-Arnold, Alderweireld, Fabinho, Andy Robertson; Jordan Henderson, Gini Wijnaldum, Tanguy Ndombele; Mo Salah, Harry Kane, Sadio Mane – Son Heung-min and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg the notable absentees.
TBR’s view – Combined XI is very questionable
To not include Son is a travesty on Crouch’s part. He has been up there with the best performers in the league this season, and is certainly playing better than Mane and Salah right now. In midfield, Hojbjerg certainly gets in above Henderson.
That is hardly the Liverpool captain’s fault given he has played out of position of late – but Hojbjerg’s form should not be overlooked. Cases could be made for Dier and Hugo Lloris too, though Son and Hojbjerg should be in the team.
