Liverpool 2005 vs 2019: Who makes this combined Reds XI ahead of Champions League final?

Liverpool 2005 vs 2019: Who makes this combined Reds XI ahead of Champions League final?
Liverpool are going for Champions League No.6 when they face Tottenham in the final in Madrid on Saturday – a game you can listen to LIVE on talkSPORT.Jurgen Klopp’s men go into the showpiece match as slight favourites but will know they’re in for a hard game against a Spurs side that beat Borussia Dortmund, Manchester City and Ajax along the way.Getty7

The Liverpool players and coaching staff celebrate their amazing semi-final win over Barcelona

Spurs are making their first appearance in the final of the competition but Liverpool are a lot more experienced in that racket with Saturday’s game being their ninth final in Europe’s premier club competition.The last time Liverpool won the Champions League was in 2005 when they sensationally came back from 3-0 down to eventually win on penalties against a star-studded AC Milan side.The miracle of Istanbul is made all the more brilliant when you see the starting line-up that Rafael Benitez fielded.buildlineup.com7

The starting Liverpool XI in the 2005 Champions League final

Liverpool’s team now certainly has a lot more quality with a number of world class players at Klopp’s disposal.

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But this got us thinking at talkSPORT.com, who would make a combined XI from Liverpool’s 2005 team and their current squad?Below you can see which players have made this ultimate Liverpool line-up.

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Formation: 4-3-3

Goalkeeper: Alisson Becker

Jerzy Dudek had the game of his life in Istanbul which saw him make an incredible double save to deny Andriy Shevchenko in extra-time and also force Milan into missing three penalties in the shootout.But Alisson is a world class keeper and is far more reliable than Dudek ever was at Liverpool.The Brazilian is also much better on the ball than Dudek ever was.Getty7

Alisson made some huge saves in the semi-finals against Barcelona

Defence: Trent Alexander-Arnold, Jamie Carragher, Virgil van Dijk, Andy Robertson

Jamie Carragher is the only defender from the 2005 team that makes this combined XI. He was never the greatest on the ball but he would die for the shirt and made a number of crucial tackles throughout his career.He played through the pain barrier in extra-time after getting cramp in the closing stages but was still able to keep Milan’s world class attack at bay.Getty7

Carragher is the only defender from the 2005 XI to make the combined team

Elsewhere, Trent Alexander-Arnold gets picked ahead of Steve Finnan at right-back, while Virgil van Dijk is a shoo-in for the other centre-back slot.Andy Robertson is in at left-back ahead of Djimi Traore. It’s not even a debate.

Midfield: Fabinho, Xabi Alonso, Steven Gerrard

If there’s anywhere where Liverpool’s current team are arguably weak it’s in midfield.Despite Jordan Henderson and Georginio Wijnaldum’s sterling performances against Barcelona, there’s no room for them in this combined XI.Fabinho and Xabi Alonso are a perfect duo in defensive midfield with the Brazilian breaking up the play of the opposition and the Spaniard spraying the ball expertly around the pitch.Getty7

Steven Gerrard started Liverpool’s amazing comeback with this header

Steven Gerrard, arguably Liverpool’s greatest ever player, played in central midfield in Istanbul but he was at his best when playing just off the striker so would occupy the attacking role in midfield.

Attack: Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane

And up front you have the Red Arrows – Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane.The trio are one of the most dangerous front lines in world football so have to be in this combined XI.Getty7

Liverpool’s attackers have terrorised many defences this season

The likes of Milan Baros, Luis Garcia and Djibril Cisse may have had good moments at Liverpool but they were nowhere near Salah, Firmino and Mane’s level.buildlineup.com7

Liverpool 05 and 19 combined XI

Tune into talkSPORT for LIVE commentary of Liverpool vs Tottenham in theChampions League final FULL DETAILS HERE

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