Leicester vs Liverpool combined XI: Alisson and Alexander-Arnold miss out

We can now reveal the Leicester and Liverpool combined XI (8+ league appearances) ahead of their Boxing Day showdown at the King Power Stadium. Leicester have not lost successive league games since Brendan Rodgers' appointment at the end of February and desperately need a result over Liverpool in order to claw back some of the current 10-point deficit between first and second. The Foxes slipped up away to Manchester City last time out and could be down in third by the weekend if they do not win on Thursday night.

Goalkeeper: Kasper Schmeichel (Leicester) - 6.85 rating

Football Index share price - £0.40

There is no doubt Alisson has been the best goalkeeper in the Premier League since the start of last season and that shows just how well Kasper Schmeichel has been playing for Leicester this season to edge the Brazilian in our XI. No goalkeeper has kept more clean sheets than the Leicester No.1 in the Premier League this season (7), five more than Alisson has managed. Not only that, but the Dane is making more saves per game (2.6) than his opposite number on Thursday (2).

Right-back: Ricardo Pereira (Leicester) - 7.60 rating

Football Index share price - £1.80

Similarly to Alisson, Trent Alexander-Arnold is considered the best in the world in his position but there is no place for him in this combined XI. The Liverpool right-back is enjoying another superb season but so is Leicester's Pereira. Alexander-Arnold has played a direct hand in more league goals (7) than Pereira (3) but the Leicester full-back is superior defensively. In fact, the 26-year-old has made more tackles (75) than any other player in the Premier League this season, 49 more than Alexander-Arnold.

Centre-back: Caglar Soyuncu (Leicester) - 7.16 rating

Football Index share price - £1.33

Joel Matip or Dejan Lovren would have made the XI but both are still injured and therefore not eligible for selection. Caglar Soyuncu is a worthy replacement given his fine form at the back for the Foxes. He has replaced Harry Maguire with aplomb and is now even being linked with a big money move himself. The 23-year-old averages 5.3 clearances per game and has impressively completed 89.3% of his attempted passes in the league this term.

Centre-back Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool) - 7.39 rating

Football Index share price - £2.63

Virgil van Dijk is the first Liverpool representative in the combined XI and there is no doubt of his place. The Netherlands international has developed into one of the best players in the world in the last year and came close to winning the FIFA Best Award in September. Van Dijk has won the WhoScored Man of the Match award three times in the league this season, the third most between the two squads. He has three goals to his name in 17 appearances, one shy of last season's tally. Not only that but Van Dijk has impressively won 76% of the aerial duels he has contested.

Left-back: Andrew Robertson (Liverpool) - 7.15 rating

Football Index share price - £1.65

Andrew Robertson edges out Ben Chilwell for a place at left-back in our combined XI. It could have all been so different had Liverpool succeeded in their pursuit of Chilwell prior to eventually signing Robertson in the summer of 2017. The Scotland international has played a direct hand in six goals in 17 league appearances for Liverpool this season (one goal, five assists).

Right wing: Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) - 7.42 rating

Football Index share price -  £4.37

Mohamed Salah has played a direct hand in 13 goals in 14 league appearances this season (nine goals, four assists) and picked up the WhoScored Man of the Match award on three occasions in that time. However, his performances on the road have been disappointing thus far, with just one goal in six away league outings. Leicester will hope his away day woes continue on Boxing Day.

Central midfield: Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester) - 7.52 rating

Football Index share price - £1.21

It would be a huge shock if Leicester held on to Wilfred Ndidi over the summer without having to bat away interest from big clubs across Europe. The Nigeria international has been immense for the Foxes ever since joining from Genk in January 2017. Ndidi has made more tackles and interceptions combined (124) than any other player in the Premier League this season and ranks third in the division for possession won in the middle third (88).

Central midfield: James Maddison (Leicester) - 7.64 rating

Football Index share price - £4.98

James Maddison is the second highest WhoScored rated player in the Premier League this season, with five goals and three assists to his name in 17 league appearances. The 23-year-old, who has been heavily linked with a move to Manchester United as a result of his fine form, ranks fourth for most key passes in the division this season (44). Maddison also places fourth for most accurate crosses (36).

Left wing: Sadio Mane (Liverpool) - 7.61 rating

Football Index share price - £3.22

Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah are locked in a battle to be the club's top scorer this season, with both level on nine goals. Mane, however, has played a direct hand in more goals of the two, courtesy of his five assists. Furthermore, he has won the WhoScored Man of the Match award more times than any other player in the Premier League this season (5).

Striker: Jamie Vardy (Leicester) - 7.55 rating

Football Index share price - £1.62

Jamie Vardy is the runaway top scorer in the Premier League at the moment, with 17 goals in 18 league appearances. The 32-year-old has scored at least six more time than any other player in the division and has a tremendous goalscoring record against the top-six. In fact, against only Arsenal (9) has Vardy scored more goals against in his career than Liverpool (7).

Striker: Roberto Firmino (Liverpool) - 7.30 rating

Football Index share price - £1.85

Roberto Firmino will be full of confidence ahead of the Boxing Day action after scoring the winner for Liverpool in their Club World Cup final last weekend. The Brazilian has played a direct hand in eight goals in 17 league appearances thus far (four goals, four assists), with all four goals coming away from Anfield.