Manchester United face a test of their resurgence under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer when title-chasing Liverpool visit Old Trafford this weekend.
Liverpool can go back to the top of the table with either a draw or a win, while United can consolidate their top-four claims with Chelsea not in action.
Here Sportsmail selects who would make a combined XI from the two squads ahead of their meeting on Sunday…
Manchester United host title-chasing Liverpool at Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon
Goalkeeper
David de Gea (Manchester United)
Alisson has made a seismic difference to Liverpool’s defence, but David de Gea remains the best goalkeeper in the Premier League.
He was saving fewer than last season at the beginning of the campaign – though that record would have been almost impossible to keep up.
Now he is back to his best. If he recaptures the form that saw him make 11 saves to keep Tottenham out at Wembley last month then it could be a frustrating afternoon for Liverpool.
David de Gea remains the best goalkeeper in the league and starred at Tottenham last month
Right back
Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool)
Right back had become a problem position for Liverpool in recent weeks with injury and the loan departure of Nathaniel Clyne, but they looked far more secure down that side when Trent Alexander-Arnold returned against Bayern Munich.
Bursting with energy and growing in stature, the 20-year-old is a far better defender now than the one who looked lost at Old Trafford last March.
Ashley Young has enjoyed a resurgence under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, but Alexander-Arnold’s ability in the final third gives him the edge.
Trent Alexander-Arnold has been missed in recent weeks for Liverpool after suffering an injury
Centre back
Victor Lindelof (Manchester United)
Joe Gomez’s continuing absence denies him a place in this XI, while Dejan Lovren is also going to miss Sunday’s game.
Manchester United lurched from one defensive crisis to another at the start of the season, but have appeared far more secure since the start of the year.
Victor Lindelof has featured in 11 games under Solskjaer and is finally starting to look like the £30.7m signing United thought they had made in 2017.
Victor Lindelof is finally starting to look like the £30.7m defender United signed in 2017
Centre back
Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)
Well rested after sitting out the midweek stalemate with Bayern Munich, Virgil van Dijk eases into this XI.
They coped admirably in his absence on Tuesday night, but Van Dijk adds a sense of aura that allows both himself and his team-mates to walk at 10ft tall.
He has been the outstanding performer for Liverpool so far this season, going from strength to strength since arriving in January last year.
Virgil van Dijk has gone from strength to strength in the 13 months since he joined Liverpool
Left back
Andy Robertson (Liverpool)
A strong shout for Luke Shaw, who has enjoyed his most consistent season at Manchester United and made by far his most appearances.
But Andy Robertson has been outstanding for Liverpool for over a year now.
He is a shoo-in for the team of the season and provides so much attacking thrust and defensive reliability down the whole of that left-hand side for Jurgen Klopp’s side.
Andy Robertson has been outstanding for Liverpool at left-back for well over a year now
Centre midfield
Fabinho (Liverpool)
After a slow start in England, Fabinho has really imposed himself on Liverpool’s midfield in recent months.
Now that he has adjusted to the Premier League and Jurgen Klopp’s stylistic demands, Liverpool look noticeably weaker when he is not there.
His range of passing, ability to read defensive situations and get about the pitch gives him the edge over Jordan Henderson and Nemanja Matic.
Fabinho has imposed himself on Liverpool’s midfield after a slow start since his summer arrival
Centre midfield
Georginio Wijnaldum (Liverpool)
Completing the Liverpool double-pivot in midfield is Georginio Wijnaldum.
One of Liverpool’s most consistent performers this season remains largely understated and underappreciated.
There is no danger of that at Anfield. His passing and surging runs make him an automatic fixture week-in, week-out.
Georginio Wijnaldum is one of Liverpool’s most consistent performers but is underappreciated
Attacking midfield
Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
Despite not scaling the phenomenal heights of last season, Mohamed Salah has been no less crucial for Liverpool this year.
He has developed into a clutch player for Jurgen Klopp; 10 of his 17 Premier League goals have been the first of the game, three have been the winner.
The Egyptian was frustrating in midweek against Bayern Munich and starved of space. He is likely to have much more room to play into at Old Trafford.
Mohamed Salah has not scaled last season’s heights but remains vital for Liverpool
Attacking midfield
Paul Pogba (Manchester United)
Paul Pogba stayed on the bench in the reverse fixture at Anfield in December, but he will be at the centre of all of Manchester United’s attacking play on Sunday.
He has been sensational under Solskjaer, recording nine goals and six assists. He would get in this XI on individual ability alone, but his recent form makes him even more integral.
He form parts of a three behind a central striker, nudging out Roberto Firmino who has blown hot and cold in 2019.
Paul Pogba has been a man reborn since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer replaced Jose Mourinho
Attacking midfield
Sadio Mane (Liverpool)
Completing the three behind the striker is Sadio Mane, who has four goals in his last five games, despite some glaring profligacy against Bayern Munich on Tuesday.
Only Anthony Martial comes close to rivaling Mane at Manchester United, and he is a fitness doubt for the weekend.
The unpredictable nature of Mane sets him apart from his Liverpool team-mates. On the back of an excellent run of form he is brimming with confidence right now.
Sadio Mane has four goals in his last five games and is Liverpool’s in-form attacking player
Striker
Marcus Rashford (Manchester United)
It has been quite the turnaround for Marcus Rashford since Solskjaer replaced Jose Mourinho.
No longer a peripheral member of the squad shunted onto the wing, Rashford is excelling as the first-choice striker at Manchester United.
Six goals under the interim manager suggest that the 21-year-old’s finishing is now matching his pace as his greatest asset.
It has been quite the turnaround for Marcus Rashford since Solskjaer took temporary charge
HOW OUR COMBINED XI COULD LINE UP
