The Premier League is on pause for the October international break, so Everton News looks at the best 2023/24 Premier League season so far XI from the North West clubs.
It has been a positive start to the term for two of the North West sides with Manchester City and Liverpool dreaming of the title. But Manchester United are down in just 10th place after eight fixtures. While Everton are facing a third successive season fighting to avoid relegation.
A timid attacking offering has hampered Sean Dyche’s bid to pull the Blues clear of the drop zone this season. But Everton have shown promise at the back and in periods to secure two wins in their last three games. While Man City entered the break after back-to-back defeats.
Manchester City suffered defeats at Wolves and Arsenal to drop to third in the table by two points. Liverpool are a further point behind Pep Guardiola’s side for fourth ahead of hosting Everton in the Merseyside derby on October 21. The Toffees go to Anfield 16th in the table.
Yet, despite their low ranking, Everton have three players in our best 23/24 Premier League season so far XI from the North West clubs. Manchester United do not have a single player in the team. Erik ten Hag will expect more from all of his players when the season resumes.
GK: Alisson Becker (Liverpool)
Simon Adingra pounced to score for Brighton & Hove Albion after Alexis Mac Allister’s error with Alisson Becker off his line. But the Brazilian has also often bailed Liverpool out at times this season. Particularly at Newcastle United, Alisson stopped the Reds from suffering a loss.
Alisson was heroic at St James’ Park to deny Miguel Almiron with a particularly unbelievable save. He has taken the pressure off Jurgen Klopp’s backline at points and helped the Reds to sit inside the top four. Alisson will now hope to build on his sole clean sheet so far this term.
CB: Kyle Walker (Manchester City)
With Ilkay Gundogan now a Barcelona star and Kevin De Bruyne out injured, Kyle Walker has stepped in as Manchester City’s captain this term. The 33-year-old has been a real leader as the Citizens strive to defend their European treble. He is also a pivotal part of City’s backline.
Walker is never afraid to work relentlessly at either end of the pitch for Guardiola. His bursts leave defenders facing a real dilemma with the Citizens’ wealth of attacking talent. While his rapid pace allows Walker to charge back and clear aside dangerous moves with regular ease.
CB: James Tarkowski (Everton)
Dyche named James Tarkowski as Everton’s vice-captain before the 23/24 Premier League season. Yet the 30-year-old has skippered the Goodison Park ship in all eight of their fixtures with Seamus Coleman out injured. Tarkowski is yet to let Everton down with their armband.
Tarkowski has marshalled the Toffees’ backline well throughout their opening encounters to earn a place in our best 23/24 Premier League XI from the North West clubs. His presence in the air at both ends of the pitch has proven dominant at points with a host of vital headers.
CB: Jarrad Branthwaite (Everton)
Everton were fast to tie Jarrad Branthwaite down with a new long-term contract through to June 2027 earlier this month. The 21-year-old had to bide his time to find a way into Dyche’s backline. But he quickly proved why the England Under-21 enforcer is so highly sought-after.
Branthwaite has often been Everton’s best defender with his superb positioning and a raft of vital interceptions. His season on loan to PSV Eindhoven last term, where the Carlisle United product won the KNVB Cup, has returned a new sense of maturity to Branthwaite’s abilities.
CDM: Rodri (Manchester City)
You only have to look at how Manchester City struggled in defeats at Wolves and Arsenal to see Rodri’s importance to Guardiola’s team. The 27-year-old cost the Citizens dearly after he earned a straight red card at Nottingham Forest. He walked 27 seconds into the second half.
Referee Anthony Taylor had no choice but to dismiss Rodri for shoving Morgan Gibbs-White near the neck. Rodri’s careless act deprived Guardiola of Manchester City’s metronome who dictates proceedings with pinpoint precision. He has also provided a threat in the final third.
CM: Abdoulaye Doucoure (Everton)
Abdoulaye Doucoure was Everton’s saviour on the last day of the 2022/23 campaign with his goal against AFC Bournemouth. The 30-year-old’s thunderous hit kept the Blues alive when relegation loomed large. And Doucoure has emerged as Everton’s hero once again this term.
The Mali midfielder has delivered three of the Toffees’ nine goals to contribute to a 2-2 draw at Sheffield United, a 3-1 win at Brentford and a 3-0 win over the Cherries. Doucoure has got Everton out of trouble a few times with his pace, power, quick reactions and determination.
CM: Dominik Szoboszlai (Liverpool)
Dominik Szoboszlai has made a real impact since joining Liverpool from RB Leipzig in July for £60m. Klopp has retained the 22-year-old in the Reds’ XI for all eight of their Premier League games so far this term. He also saw Szoboszlai score a screamer to help pip Aston Villa 3-0.
The Hungarian delivered a delicate drive through a crowded box to pick out the far corner of Aston Villa’s goal. But Szoboszlai has offered Liverpool so much more than his only effort. He has also offered them a presence at Anfield that has yielded comparisons to Steven Gerrard.
CAM: Julian Alvarez (Manchester City)
With De Bruyne missing since surgery for his hamstring injury this August, Julian Alvarez has stepped up for Manchester City. The 23-year-old has moved into a deeper role for Guardiola yet continues to shine. He boasts three goals and four assists through eight games this term.
Alvarez knows that he faces a colossal challenge to oust Erling Haaland to play as a striker at Manchester City. But he continues to light up their games with some fierce efforts. The 2022 World Cup-winning Argentine is giving City a superb link between their midfield and attack.
RW: Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
Mohamed Salah has been involved in the joint-most Premier League goals so far this season for Liverpool. The 31-year-old has scored five and laid on a further four assists over his eight appearances. Only Haaland has also been involved in the same number of top-flight efforts.
Liverpool have watched in absolute awe as Salah continues to emerge as the Reds’ talisman beyond his goals, as well. He has been clinical in front of the net and inspirational outside of the area. Even when Salah is not scoring, his presence is almost always felt in their matches.
ST: Erling Haaland (Manchester City)
As mentioned, only Salah has been involved in as many Premier League goals this season as Haaland thus far. The Norwegian wonder has scored eight goals and laid on an assist to lead the Golden Boot race. It was notable, then, to see Haaland be almost anonymous at Arsenal.
It is an extremely rare sight to see the 23-year-old fail to present a threat in the final third in sky blue. Haaland often heaps misery on any opponent that stands before him and enjoy an endless stream of chances. He can even cause pain with minimal touches in most matches.
LW: Darwin Nunez (Liverpool)
Darwin Nunez endured a complicated first season for Liverpool last term. But the Uruguayan is now bringing chaos in the right way for Klopp through his astute defence-splitting runs. He is also offering a crucial element to the Reds’ build-up play and has shown a goal threat, too.
The 24-year-old has offered three goals and two assists in his seven appearances, despite only starting in three. Nunez would only have further stressed his spot in our 23/24 Premier League XI for the season so far among the North West clubs by refining his finishing further.
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