"It's a tough one" - Peter Crouch snubs Mohamed Salah as he names Liverpool and Real Madrid combined XI
Peter Crouch has risked the wrath of Liverpool fans by choosing Kylian Mbappe over Mohamed Salah in a combined XI involving Reds and Real Madrid players. The Merseysiders' former striker gave his current best lineup of the two European giants combined ahead of their UEFA Champions League clash.
Liverpool host Real Madrid tomorrow (November 27) at Anfield and Arne Slot's team are in stellar form, sitting top of the Premier League and Champions League tables. Salah has been at the forefront with 12 goals and 10 assists in 18 games across competitions.
Mbappe has struggled since joining Madrid in the summer, and a confidence crisis led to him missing out on France's recent squad for UEFA Nations League action. He's managed nine goals and two assists in 17 games across competitions for Carlo Ancelotti's Los Blancos.
Crouch gave an intriguing combined XI that was Liverpool dominated defensively. He went with Alisson Becker in goal, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ibrahima Konate, Virgil van Dijk, and Andy Robertson in defense.
However, the ex-England striker opted for a Real Madrid midfield trio of Jude Bellingham, Aurelien Tchouameni and Federico Valverde. He then struggled to choose between Salah and Mbappe (via TNT Sports on TikTok):
"It's Mbappe I think maybe just because of the World Cup. It's a tough one that because I love Salah but Mbappe."
Crouch completed his combined XI by naming Rodrygo and Vinicius Junior alongside Mbappe. This means none of the Reds' midfield or attackers made it into his team.
Kylian Mbappe reportedly had a verbal agreement to join Liverpool two years before Real Madrid
Mbappe, 25, spent most of his Paris Saint-Germain career linked with a move away amid interest from across Europe. Two years ago, he wanted out despite agreeing on a new contract as he was unhappy with the Ligue 1 giants' direction.
L'Equipe reported in September that Mbappe reached a verbal agreement with Liverpool then. It's claimed he agreed on a short-term deal with the Reds, which included a provision to facilitate a future Real Madrid move.
The Bernabeu was his dream destination, but PSG was reluctant to do business with Los Blancos due to their poor relationship. He instead saw out the two years on that deal and headed to the Spanish capital this past summer.
Mbappe left the Parc des Princes as the Ligue 1 giants' all-time top scorer. He's made a frustrating start at Madrid but will be relishing facing the Merseysiders in his favored left-wing position with Vinicius injured.