Chelsea vs. Liverpool All-Time Combined XI
Ahead of Sunday’s EFL Cup final between Chelsea and Liverpool, Sports Mole puts together an all-time combined XI of players from the two clubs.
Goalkeeper
Petr Cech (Chelsea)
In one of the toughest decisions between Liverpool or Chelsea, Petr Cech takes the mantle in goal just ahead of the legendary Ray Clemence, who had an illustrious 14-year career at Anfield. Cech’s performance in the 2012 Champions League final against Bayern Munich cemented his place in Chelsea folklore.
Defenders
Phil Neal (Liverpool)
Only Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Liverpool team mate Kenny Dalglish won more major honours with English clubs than Phil Neal, who was a stalwart in Liverpool’s successful side, playing a remarkable 366 consecutive league matches between 1974 and 1983.
Alan Hansen (Liverpool)
Regarded as one of the all-time greatest central defenders, Alan Hansen played a crucial role as one of the three Scots brought to Liverpool by Bob Paisley in the late 1970s, winning eight league titles and three European Cups with the Reds.
John Terry (Chelsea)
As Chelsea captain during their most successful era as a club, there is no doubt that John Terry is the best defender ever to pull on that blue shirt, winning five Premier League titles, five FA Cups, three League Cups and two European crowns.
Ashley Cole (Chelsea)
In the advent of attacking full-backs, Ashley Cole was a trailblazer, becoming widely regarded as one of the best left-backs of the modern era, winning all four major honours in an eight-year spell at Chelsea.
Midfielders
Graeme Souness (Liverpool)
The tough-tackling, no-nonsense Souness was also extremely technically gifted, and had an eye for goal, scoring 55 goals in seven seasons at Liverpool, winning five league titles, four League Cups and three European Cups.
Steven Gerrard (Liverpool)
A generational homegrown talent who grew into one of football’s most inspirational captains, Steven Gerrard’s legend status will never be touched at Liverpool, earning Man of the Match in the 2005 Champions League and 2006 FA Cup finals.
Frank Lampard (Chelsea)
One of the greatest-ever box-to-box midfielders, Frank Lampard was a crucial player in Chelsea’s unparalleled success in the mid-to-late 2000s and early 2010s, still the all-time top Premier League goalscorer from midfield with 177 goals.
Forwards
Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
Following three decades of intermittent success, Liverpool have returned to the upper echelons of European football under Jurgen Klopp, with Mohamed Salah being a pivotal factor, scoring 205 goals and counting in the red of Liverpool.
Kenny Dalglish (Liverpool)
Widely considered as Liverpool’s greatest ever player, Dalglish’s achievements at Liverpool elevated him to near-God-like status at Anfield, winning 15 major honours in a 13-year spell at the club, which included five years as player-manager.
Ian Rush (Liverpool)
The man who partnered Dalglish in attack also gets a spot in this XI, as Ian Rush ensured Liverpool’s domination continued into the 1980s, scoring an incredible 346 goals in 15 seasons, making him the club’s all-time record goalscorer.
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