Only three Liverpool players make RB Leipzig combined XI
Liverpool would have been relatively pleased with the round of 16 knockout stage draw back in December but so much has changed since then. The Premier League champions are in crisis following a run of three straight defeats. Jurgen Klopp's side have lost five of their last seven in all competitions and their injury hell appears to finally have taken its toll. Previously rock solid at the back, Liverpool have remarkably shipped seven goals in their last two matches. Now they face RB Leipzig.
Ahead of their first leg encounter, we have looked at the stats and devised a combined XI from league and Champions League ratings this season. Look away Liverpool supporters, the results were not pretty. With Fabinho expected to miss out once again, RB Leipzig complete a clean sweep at the back, with former Liverpool goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi also beating Alisson between the sticks.
With Fabinho, Joe Gomez and Virgil van Dijk all injured for Liverpool, Klopp would no doubt love to have Leipzig's Dayot Upamecano lining up for his side on Tuesday night. In fact, Liverpool were interested in Upamecano but Bayern Munich have won that race for his signature at the end of the season.
Unlike Liverpool's centre-backs, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andrew Robertson have been available for most of the campaign yet even they have endured a drop-off in form this season. Alexander-Arnold, in particular, has struggled and neither make the combined XI here. Angelino, who has signed permanently from Manchester City, has been a revelation for Leipzig with 14 goal involvements in 26 appearances across league and European competition this season (7 goals, 7 assists).
Thiago has come in for plenty of criticism since joining Liverpool from Bayern Munich over the summer but he is actually the first Liverpool player in our combined XI. There is no doubt he is yet to hit the heights expected but whether that is entirely the 29-year-old's fault or just a result of Liverpool being a mess all over the pitch. Defensively, however, he has looked short, though there is no doubts over his passing ability.
Jordan Henderson's WhoScored rating has taken a hit since he has been moved from midfield to defence and it's why he misses out altogether, with Leipzig duo Dani Olmo and Christopher Nkunku alongisde Thiago in midfield in our combined XI.
While Leipzig have coped relatively okay without Timo Werner since his departure to Chelsea in the summer, there is no doubt they now lack a star forward. Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane haven't been at their best this season but they still make our combined XI, up against relatively little competition, but Roberto Firmino misses out to Yussuf Poulsen.
