Mane the notable absentee from Liverpool vs Tottenham Ultimate XI

Liverpool host Tottenham tonight in a mouthwatering meeting between the Premier League's top two teams. Sat level on 25 points coming into the clash, the Reds are unbeaten in 65 home Premier League matches and have a fine league record against Spurs at Anfield having lost just one of the last 26 top-flight meetings between the pair on Merseyside. 

However, given Liverpool's lengthy injury list, Spurs won't have a better chance then tonight to secure a vital three points at Anfield. Ahead of the tantalising match up, we look at the combined XI between the two using their Premier League WhoScored ratings from 2020/21. 

Players must have made five or more league appearances to qualify for this team as we set this side up in a 4-3-3 to mirror each side's favoured system this season and, believe us, there are a few notable absentees from this XI... 

Starting between the sticks, it's Alisson (6.74) who edges out Hugo Lloris (6.67) to secure the place in this XI. A key reason for that is the Brazilian's distribution with Alisson's passes per 90 (27.9) and pass success rate (78.9%) better than his his French counterpart (23.6 and 69.6%, respectively). 

Joel Matip (6.77) is the second of just four Liverpool representatives in this combined XI to deny a Spurs clean sweep at the back, edging out Eric Dier (6.75) at the heart of the defence. The Cameroonian is partnered by Toby Alderweireld (6.95) with the Belgian a key man for Jose Mourinho's side and their solid backline this season. 

At right-back, Serge Aurier (7.39) secures his spot in this team with the Ivorian nailing down his role in the squad despite the summer arrival of Matt Doherty (7.06). Rounding off the defence, Sergio Reguilon (6.91) takes the left-back position with Andrew Robertson (6.77) missing out on a spot in this combined XI as a result. 

Anchoring the midfield is Brazilian star Fabinho (6.81). An inspired signing from Monaco, Fabinho's versatility has been crucial for Jurgen Klopp's side in the wake of their ongoing injury crisis in defence and he'll have another huge role to play tonight, be it in defence or midfield. 

Taking his place to the left of Fabinho is Tanguy Ndombele (6.79), who has been a key man for Mourinho's side despite reports linking him with a move away from north London over the summer. Joining Ndombele and Fabinho in the middle of the park is Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (7.01) who has proven to be a revelation for Spurs following his summer arrival from Southampton. Third for passes (870) in the Premier League this season, Hojbjerg will again be vital for Spurs tonight. 

Mohamed Salah (7.57) completes the Liverpool contingent with the Egyptian's goalscoring exploits for the Reds once again coming to the fore. Only Dominic Calvert-Lewin (11) has scored more goals than Salah (10) in the Premier League this season to reinforce his inclusion in this XI. 

On the opposite flank is another player to have scored 10 Premier League goals in 2020/21. Son Heung-Min (7.61) is on course to enjoy his most prolific season to date and with seven of his 10 goals coming away from home, Liverpool need to be wary of the South Korean's goalscoring threat. 

Son's partner in crime completes this combined XI. Harry Kane (8.06) has had a direct hand in more goals (19 - 9 nine goals, 10 assists) than any other Premier League player this season and his partnership with Son has been a joy to watch. The duo linked up once more at Crystal Palace and it wouldn't be a surprise to see them do so again tonight.