SUNSPORT yesterday revealed Lionel Messi has fallen to eighth in the list of the world’s most valuable footballers.
Thanks to a huge surge in the value of Premier League stars, the likes of Messi were forced down the list – with Cristiano Ronaldo knocked out of the top ten altogether.
With that in mind, we’ve taken a look at who would make the Premier League’s most-valuable XI based on values from the Transfermarkt website.
In a star-studded line-up worth a staggering £1.19BILLION, there are no fewer than SIX Liverpool stars.
But who else makes the cut? Find out, below…
GK – Alisson (£81million)
Alisson is unquestionably the best goalkeeper in EnglandCredit: EPA
IN a straight fight with Atletico Madrid star Jan Oblak for the title of best goalkeeper on the planet, Alisson was always a shoe-in for this list.
Some fans would argue David De Gea and Ederson deserve a mention, but the stats show Liverpool’s Brazilian is more-than deserving of his place in the XI.
It’s certainly no coincidence Liverpool went from top-four hopefuls to champions of Europe and Premier League champions-elect after he joined.
RB – Trent Alexander-Arnold (£99m)
Trent Alexander-Arnold is the most valuable defender in the PLCredit: Alamy Live News
THE most-expensive defender in the list is Liverpool’s superstar right-back who, incredibly, is still only 21-years-old.
Over 100 games under his belt and having already played two Champions League finals, Alexander-Arnold is arguably the best right-sided defender on the planet.
With the pacey crossing machine on the flank, Liverpool and England have a real gem on their hands for the future.
CB – Virgil van Dijk (£90m)
Van Dijk has been a giant for Liverpool and is set to be made the highest paid defender in the Premier LeagueCredit: PA:Press Association
SIGNED for £75m in January 2018, Jurgen Klopp’s side were given a huge boost as the Dutch star teamed up with Alisson to bring in a new era of success for the Kop mob.
The towering centre-back is dominant in the air and almost impossible to pass on the ground.
Whichever club has Van Dijk going forward will be difficult to beat – and Liverpool have proven that this season.
CB – Aymeric Laporte (£68m)
Laporte makes the list despite being frustrated by injuries this seasonCredit: AP:Associated Press
THE first non-Liverpool player on this list, Manchester City were cruelly deprived of Laporte for much of this season after he suffered a nasty injury in September.
The imposing defender missed over four months of action with a knee injury and then picked up a hamstring problem shortly after his return.
Regardless, there’s little doubt Laporte is the only centre-back who even comes close to Van Dijk in terms of ability.
LB – Andrew Robertson (£72m)
Andrew Robertson is the most valuable left-back in EnglandCredit: Alamy Live News
AFTER that little breather, let’s back to Anfield and talk about Scotland captain Robertson.
The flying left-back cost the Reds just £8m from Hull and he’s now developed into arguably the best left-back in the world – having originally been kept out of the team by James Milner and Alberto Moreno.
Teaming up with Alexander-Arnold on the flanks, Liverpool have the most-lethal crossers of the ball on the planet – and Robbo is an outrageously talented defender, to boot.
CM – N’Golo Kante (£90m)
N’Golo Kante has been an integral member of Chelsea’s midfield since joining in 2016Credit: Getty – Contributor
A TWO-TIME top-flight champion with two different clubs in back-to-back seasons, Kante is the world’s premier defensive midfielder.
A tireless runner, superb tackler, quality passer and boasting a sneaky ability to score the odd cracker, there’s little wonder the diminutive Frenchman makes the cut at £90m.
Played out of position on the right of a midfield three under Maurizio Sarri, Kante is now being given the chance to get back to his elite best under Frank Lampard at Chelsea this season.
CM – Kevin De Bruyne (£135m)
Kevin De Bruyne is comfortably the best midfielder in the PLCredit: Getty Images
THE most-gifted passer in the Premier League, if not the world, by some distance – De Bruyne was potentially the first name on this team sheet.
The Belgian star, 28, has two top-flight crowns under his belt already, as well as helping Belgium to third-place at the 2018 World Cup.
Arguably just hitting his peak years, the sky is the limit for De Bruyne – valued at £135m… minimum.
RW – Mohamed Salah (£135m)
Salah is one of the most lethal wingers in the world cutting insideCredit: Alamy Live News
PART of Liverpool’s fearsome front-three, Salah is unrecognisable from his Chelsea days now he’s in Anfield red.
Skilful on the ball, devastatingly quick and with a ferocious left foot, there’s little wonder Salah is valued at £135m.
A target of Real Madrid in recent seasons, Salah’s ability to cut in from the right and unleash hell has seen him score 16 goals and lay-on six assists this season.
LW – Raheem Sterling (£144m)
Raheem Sterling has been red-hot in the past few seasons at Man City
THE Man City and England superstar’s progression under Pep Guardiola has been phenomenal since his switch from Anfield.
Now boasting a clinical edge in front of goal, Sterling certainly has his best years ahead of him at just 25 years old.
Valued at £144m, you could see Sterling being the world’s most-expensive footballer one day, should he ever decide to leave the Etihad.
No9 – Sadio Mane (£141m)
Sadio Mane is one of six Liverpool stars to make the most-valuable XICredit: Getty Images – Getty
THE Senegalese star – who joined Liverpool for £34m from Southampton in 2016 – has been arguably his team’s best player this season – scoring 14 times and adding seven assists.
The Reds sit 25 points clear in their bid to win their first-ever Premier League crown.
An outrageously talented winger, Mane is adept at cutting inside and terrorising defenders and seamlessly switching positions with Roberto Firmino to create space.
Playing in a No9 spot behind the striker, weaving in and out of position and diving into pockets of space would potentially unleash a whole new level to his play.
ST – Harry Kane (£135m)
Harry Kane is the Premier League’s most-valuable strikerCredit: Reuters
ENGLAND’s captain and talisman, Kane is another star valued at £135m.
Cruelly struck down by injuries during his career, you can only dream what the Spurs star could have become without them.
Kane could now opt to leave North London in a bid to finally win some silverware after 16 years at the club, including his youth years.
Most valuable players in world revealed with Lionel Messi down in EIGHTH as Kylian Mbappe leads list at £189m
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
