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Mersey XI for 2012... combined Liverpool and Everton side

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It has been another dramatic year on Merseyside. Trophies have been won, managers have gone, big signings have arrived and the banter between supporters remains as fierce as ever.

But, given the way both teams have performed over the last 12 months, if you were to pick a team that comprises both Liverpool and Everton players, who would make your final cut? History suggests a Mersey XI would be dominated by Red shirts but is that now the case?

This time last year, Mersey Beat put forward its Liver-ton team of 2011. It was as follows...

Pepe Reina, Glen Johnson, Martin Skrtel, Phil Jagielka, Leighton Baines, Lucas, Marouane Fellaini, Maxi Rodriguez, Leon Osman, Craig Bellamy, Luis Suarez.

That was seven Reds, compared to four Blues. Will that be the case now?

Here, for your arguing and debating, is the class of 2012. Some choices are obvious, others less so. The system we have chosen is 4-1-3-2, so there should be plenty of goals.

 GOALKEEPER...

TIM HOWARD – Everton’s No 1 takes the gloves off Pepe Reina. By his own admission, Reina’s standards have dropped this year and while Howard hasn’t exactly been faultless, his consistency has been that little better than his Liverpool counterpart.

Net gains: Tim Howard is the rock at the back for Everton

RIGHT-BACK...

GLEN JOHNSON – The lazy argument to put forward about Johnson is that he can’t defend. That simply isn’t the case. Whether he has been played on the left or in his natural position on the right, his performances through the year have generally been high class.CENTRAL DEFENDERS...

PHIL JAGIELKA and DANIEL AGGER – Everton’s vice-captain has stamped himself as one of England’s best and has claims to be first choice at international level, now that John Terry and Rio Ferdinand are out of the picture. Agger, meanwhile, has enjoyed his best year at Liverpool and regularly showed why Manchester City made a £20million offer for him.

No way past: Phil Jagielka (left) and Daniel Agger have been solid for their respective sides

LEFT-BACK...

LEIGHTON BAINES – The upward trajectory Baines has been on shows no signs of tapering out. A sign of how good he has been comes from the fact that a legitimate debate can be held over who should start for England: him or Ashley Cole. The first name on Everton’s team-sheet.

HOLDING MIDFIELDER...

DARRON GIBSON – Is this the most contentious selection? He was rather unheralded when arriving from Manchester United but he has been crucial in Everton’s development. His range of passing and discipline has been outstanding.

Central figure: Darron Gibson has been an inspired signing for David Moyes

RIGHT-SIDE ATTACK...

LEON OSMAN – That he was given a first England cap in November shows how well Osman has played this year. David Moyes described him recently as having “happy feet” and when he gets on the ball, he is always capable of making something happen.

LEFT-SIDE ATTACK...

STEVEN GERRARD – Finishing a momentous year in which he won his 100th cap in style, been back to his best in recent weeks and - significantly - looks fitter than he has in recent seasons. Was England's top performer at Euro 2012.

Leader: Steven Gerrard still commands the park for Liverpool

ATTACKING MIDFIELDER...

MAROUANE FELLAINI – Some colossal displays over the past 12 months, the highlights being his bullying of Manchester United in August and his domination of Arsenal in November. Hugely effective in both an attacking and defensive role. Obvious choice.  

CENTRE-FORWARDS...

NIKICA JELAVIC and LUIS SUAREZ – Surely this selection cannot be debated? Jelavic has stripped the art of striking down to its most basic form. Shoot and score. A man with ice in his veins, he rarely looks like missing when presented with a chance and the £5million it cost to sign him from Rangers was superb business. As for Suarez, his importance to Liverpool simply cannot be underestimated. A genuine world class talent and a frequent scorer. What more could you want?

Deadly: Nikica Jelavic (left) and Luis Suarez are among the Premier League's most clinical strikers

So, then, the roles are reversed. This time it’s seven Blues, compared to four Reds.

Do you agree? Let us know your thoughts.

More of the same in 12 months but, for now, Happy New Year to you all.

  More... Something for the Weekend: Full steam ahead for Arsenal after extra break at Christmas and why Coventry and Bristol Rovers are proving to be such a sell out







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