Manchester City and Liverpool combined XI: Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino and Kevin de Bruyne provide the firepower, but who else lines up?

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Jurgen Klopp will take his Liverpool side down the M62 to the Etihad Stadium to face Manchester City this weekend.

Liverpool and City will be content with their starts to the season, both winning two and drawing one of their opening three games, but this weekend will be another big test.

The Reds have played some electrifying football up top, scoring eight goals already in this campaign, while City have managed to grind out some results.

Ahead of Saturday's lunch-time kick-off, Sportsmail offers up a composite XI based on their respective seasons so far. 

Liverpool face Manchester City this weekend, but who makes it into the composite XI? 

Ederson (Manchester City) — Goalkeeper

The most expensive goalkeeper in history has to make the cut, doesn't he? Besides, Liverpool's protracted goalkeeping saga seems set to continue, with Simon Mignolet just edging out Loris Karius so far.

Mignolet is likely to get the nod this weekend, but it's the City stopper who makes it into this XI. 

Ederson is the most expensive goalkeeper in the world and makes the cut over Liverpool's duo

Kyle Walker (Manchester City) — Defender

Back from his one-match ban, the £54million recruit from Tottenham will have a point to prove on Saturday as he looks to atone for his sending off in the 1-1 draw with Everton.

The England international will provide an attacking threat down that right-hand side as one half of City's potent wing-back combination. 

Kyle Walker will look to atone for his red card against Everton with a strong display this week

Vincent Kompany (Manchester City) — Defender

Kompany is a serious doubt for this weekend's clash, after returning from the international break with a calf injury.

But if there is any chance of him making it on Saturday afternoon, he is a shoo-in for this side. A powerful defender and strong leader with unrivalled experience in England's top flight.  

Joel Matip (Liverpool) — Defender

Liverpool's Mr Reliable at the back. Everything the Cameroon international does is calm and stylish and instils an air of confidence at the back.

Although neither side boast particularly rock-solid defences, these pair are the pick of the bunch at centre back. 

Liverpool's Mr Reliable Joel Matip, everything the Cameroonian does is calm and stylish

Benjamin Mendy (Manchester City) — Defender

Mendy is one third of Pep Guardiola's wing-back overhaul at the Etihad this summer and comes with a glowing reputation following his £52million switch from Monaco.

He is an exciting dribbler and offers a lot in attack, but provides some defensive clout as well. Had one decent showing so far against Everton and will hope to build on that this weekend.

Jordan Henderson (Liverpool) — Midfielder

The Reds captain will have to do a lot of running in this team, given its embarrassment of riches in attack.

Henderson provides the perfect foil for the roving midfielders, allowing play to tick over with his range of passing while providing some defensive reassurance in the middle of the park.

David Silva (Manchester City) — Midfielder

Arguably City's player of the season so far. His style and poise on the ball never seem to diminish and has been the architect of two of City's five goals this season.

As City's gateway to unlocking any defence, Silva will play a huge role if the hosts are to come away with a positive outcome this weekend. 

David Silva has arguably been City's player of the season and is an easy selection in midfield

Kevin de Bruyne (Manchester City) — Midfielder

De Bruyne has everything an attacking player would want. Lethal from dead-ball situations, a fierce shot and an unrivalled range of passing and vision.

Yet to contribute on the goal front this season but expect that to change sooner rather than later. 

Sadio Mane (Liverpool) — Forward

Liverpool's leading goalscorer so far this campaign and their Player of the Year last term.

Mane has netted three in as many games as Liverpool's front-line have started with the same blistering form they did last season.

With pace and a keen eye for goal, Mane would slot into more than his fair share of starting XIs in England's top flight. 

Liverpool's leading scorer, Sadio Mane will provide blistering pace with an eye for goal

Gabriel Jesus (Manchester City) — Forward 

Difficult one, this. For so many years Sergio Aguero is always the first name on any composite XI team sheet. But Guardiola senses a change in Manchester.

Jesus has made a remarkable introduction to English football and the City boss favoured him as a lone striker in their last outing against Everton — leaving Aguero to watch on from the bench.

And with eight Premier League goals in his first 13 games since arriving in January, the 20-year-old is an incredibly exciting prospect.

Gabriel Jesus gets the nod over Sergio Aguero with Pep Guardiola favouring the Brazilian

Roberto Firmino — Forward

Mohamed Salah can consider himself unlucky after a brilliant reintroduction to life in the Premier League.

But Firmino has stepped up to fill the void left by Philippe Coutinho's curious back injury, scoring twice and assisting two, leading the Reds' front line in exemplary fashion.

Coutinho himself, meanwhile, looks set to miss the clash all together as Klopp stated it 'doesn't make sense' to rush him back to action.

Roberto Firmino has led the Liverpool attack brilliantly in the absence of Philippe Coutinho