Robbie Fowler has challenged former Liverpool teammate Jamie Carragher to choose his three best UK regional teams – and the Anfield legend has duly delivered.
With the Premier League season currently suspended amid the coronavirus crisis, pundits and fans alike have been forced to get their football fix elsehwere.
And one of the more popular ideas over the last few weeks is the social media trend which has seen Premier League icons name their best XIs.
However Mirror Sport columnist Fowler has come up with an innovative alternative – the best teams of players who were born in London, Manchester and Liverpool.
And Fowler was quick to challenge Carragher to name his selections.
(Image: Action Images)
Starting with his Liverpool-born team – which had Tony Warner in goal – the former Anfield star sprung a surprise by deciding against including himself in the team.
Instead he opted for a defensive partnership of Phil Thompson and Tommy Smith, with Trent Alexander-Arnold and Leighton Baines joining them in defence.
It’s perhaps no surprise that close pal Steven Gerrard featured in midfield, as did Steve McManaman, Peter Reid and Ian Callaghan.
And up front it was a certain Fowler and Wayne Rooney.
(Image: Liverpool FC via Getty)
Turning our attention to his Manchester-born team, and Carragher went for former Man City and England keeper Joe Corrigan in goal.
His defence consisted of three players from former rivals Manchester United – Gary Neville, Phil Neville and Wes Brown, the trio joined by former Everton captain Phil Jagielka.
Carragher went for a three-man midfield which featured Nicky Butt, Nobby Stiles and Paul Scholes – all of whom are Manchester United legends.
Leading the attack is Marcus Rashford, Francis Lee and Nat Lofthouse.
(Image: Getty Images)
And, finally, his London-born team also consisted of several names from the past.
Carragher’s former Liverpool and England teammate David James was included as his No.1 stopper.
In a bid to seemingly shoehorn particular players in, the former Three Lions ace opted for a three-man defence of Rio Ferdinand, Bobby Moore and John Terry.
David Beckham was deployed as a right full-back, while Ashley Cole made the cut down the left.
Paul Ince, Glenn Hoddle and Frank Lampard were tasked with pulling the strings in midfield, while it was an all-Tottenham attack of Jimmy Greaves and Harry Kane.
(Image: PA)
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Jamie Carragher’s UK regional XIs
Liverpool-born (4-4-2)
Tony Warner; Trent Alexander-Arnold, Phil Thompson, Tommy Smith, Leighton Baines; Ian Callaghan, Steven Gerrard, Peter Reid, Steve McManaman; Wayne Rooney, Robbie Fowler.
Manchester-born (4-3-3)
Joe Corrigan; Gary Neville, Wes Brown, Phil Jagielka, Phil Neville; Nicky Butt, Nobby Stiles, Paul Scholes; Marcus Rashford, Francis Lee, Nat Lofthouse.
London-born (3-5-2)
David James; Rio Ferdinand, Bobby Moore, John Terry; David Beckham, Ashley Cole; Paul Ince, Glenn Hoddle, Frank Lampard; Jimmy Greaves, Harry Kane.
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Jamie Carragher names greatest-ever UK regional XIs after Robbie Fowler challenge - Mirror Online
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