Virgil Van Dijk and Andy Robertson are considered to be among the best defenders in the world (Photo: Getty)
Former Tottenham star Jamie O’Hara has controversially snubbed Virgil van Dijk and Andy Robertson from his Spurs/Liverpool combined XI.
Spurs host the Reds on Saturday evening in what is sure to be a thrilling clash between two of the Premier League’s in-form sides.
Both teams are unbeaten after six games and are enjoying playing attractive, attacking football under Jurgen Klopp and Ange Postecoglou.
Given their performances, making a combined XI of the two sides is a tricky task, but even so it is surprising to see O’Hara leave out two of Liverpool’s best players in Van Dijk and Robertson.
The centre-back and left-back are considered among the best in the world in their positions, but the former midfielder is adamant that the duo are no longer hitting the heights of the past few seasons.
Explaining his team, O’Hara told Grosvenor Sport: ‘I can’t disagree with Alisson in goal. Guglielmo Vicario’s been brilliant for Spurs and made some quality saves last weekend against Arsenal, but you can’t not have Alisson in there.
‘Virgil van Dijk? No! People need to stop living in the past! I’ll go with Ibrahima Konate and Cristian Romero.
Cristian Romero and Destiny Udogie have impressed for Spurs so far this season (Photo: Getty)
‘Micky van de Ven also gets a mention – he’s been unbelievable since he came in, but he doesn’t get in and Van Dijk doesn’t start for me either.
‘Left-back I’m going with Destiny Udogie over Andy Robertson – 100%. Have you seen how good he is? He’s been unreal for Tottenham this season. Robertson has been a quality player in the past, but we’re not talking about three seasons ago anymore – we’re talking about right now!’
It is true that Van-Dijk, who was made Liverpool captain over the summer, has suffered a dip in form of late, highlighted by his red card against Newcastle which lead to a two-game ban.
Jamie O’Hara’s combined XI features six Liverpool stars and five Spurs players
That said, Konate himself has struggled with injuries and is yet to keep a clean sheet in any of his five appearances this season.
Udogie, it is fair to say, has impressed – aside from in last weekend’s North London Derby – but overall O’Hara’s side is pretty much evenly split between both clubs.
He continued: ‘I think right-back is Tottenham’s weakest position, so I reckon Trent Alexander-Arnold is still good enough to get the nod there over Pedro Porro. He used to be one of the best in the world, though based on current form I wouldn’t say that.
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‘My first midfielder would have to be Yves Bissouma – he’s just been incredible this season. James Maddison is there as well, so it’s two Tottenham players in the middle three.
‘The final player is Dominik Szoboszlai – I’ve been impressed with him since he joined Liverpool. I think that midfield would have quite a nice balance to it too.
‘Up front I’m going with Mohamed Salah, Heung-min Son and Luis Diaz.’
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