The former Reds defender has opted to leave out Daniel Sturridge and Dele Alli.
Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp
Speaking to Sky Sports, Phil Thompson has named a combined Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur eleven.
The two sides meet this weekend in the Premier League’s early kick off at White Hart Lane.
It has been a mixed start to the campaign for both, with Spurs drawing against Everton and beating Crystal Palace while the Reds meanwhile opened with a win over Arsenal but were beaten by Burnley last weekend.
Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino
Both teams are expected to be top four challengers this season, especially Jurgen Klopp’s side who have spent the summer overhauling their squad.
Picking a combined eleven was no easy task for Thompson and as a result, star men Daniel Sturridge and Dele Alli are the notable absentees from his Sky Sports team.
Tottenham’s Dele Alli
In goal it was an obvious choice, with Hugo Lloris getting in ahead of Belgian Simon Mignolet.
Only one Liverpool man features in defence; Nathaniel Clyne at right back, while Jan Vertonghen, Toby Alderweireld and Danny Rose fill up the other positions.
On the subject of Clyne, Thompsons says the Reds man makes it in ahead of Kyle Walker as he is “a bit more defensively reliable” than the Spurs man.
Liverpool’s Daniel Sturridge
Eric Dier is his selection in defensive midfield, although the Reds who dominate that area of the pitch with Sadio Mane, Philippe Coutinho, Roberto Firmino and Adam Lallana all making it in.
Up front Thompson goes with Harry Kane, saying the England man “gives you a bit of height, plus the creativity and goalscoring.”
Thompson’s XI: Hugo Lloris, Nathaniel Clyne, Toby Alderweireld, Jan Vertonghen, Danny Rose, Eric Dier, Sadio Mane, Philippe Coutinho, Roberto Firmino, Adam Lallana, Harry Kane
Notable absentees
Daniel Sturridge – Thompson admits it was a straight shootout between Sturridge and Kane and it is hard to imagine many would pick the Liverpool man ahead of Kane based on the last two seasons.
Kyle Walker – Another one who Thompson admits was close to being chosen. His argument is that Nathaniel Clyne is more defensively reliable, although that is a debatable argument.
Christian Eriksen – The attacking midfielder can count himself unfortunate to miss out to Roberto Firmino, who was inconsistent tos say the least last season.
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