Peter Crouch has sparked controversy among Liverpool fans by choosing Kylian Mbappe over Mohamed Salah in a combined XI of Liverpool and Real Madrid players ahead of their UEFA Champions League clash on November 27. Crouch’s lineup, which he shared on TikTok, featured Alisson Becker in goal, with Liverpool’s defensive quartet of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ibrahima Konate, Virgil van Dijk, and Andy Robertson. However, in midfield, he favored Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham, Aurelien Tchouameni, and Federico Valverde.
The most debated decision came in attack, where Crouch picked Mbappe over Salah. Although Crouch acknowledged Salah’s importance and form, which includes 12 goals and 10 assists in 18 games this season, he leaned towards Mbappe, citing his World Cup success and overall talent, despite Mbappe’s slower start at Real Madrid (9 goals, 2 assists in 17 appearances).
Crouch’s selection left out key Liverpool attackers, and it has caused a stir, given Salah’s incredible contributions to the team. His choice also highlights the ongoing debate about Mbappe’s impact since moving to Madrid, with the Frenchman struggling to find his best form following his summer transfer from PSG.
Interestingly, there’s a history of Mbappe nearly joining Liverpool two years ago, with reports claiming he had a verbal agreement with the club before eventually moving to Real Madrid. His decision to join Madrid, despite being heavily linked with Liverpool, remains a talking point among fans.
