Alan Shearer left Florian Wirtz out of his combined Liverpool-Arsenal XI before Sunday's Anfield clash and chose teenager Rio Ngumoha as the Premier League leading scorer's doubts continue

Liverpool spent big to bring Florian Wirtz to Anfield, but Alan Shearer's combined XI suggests the German still hasn't earned a starting spot. Instead, an 18-year-old Liverpool teammate made the cut.

Shearer overlooked Wirtz while selecting his preferred Liverpool and Arsenal lineup ahead of Sunday's heavyweight Premier League meeting at Anfield. The Gunners sit second in the league, while the Reds occupy an early Top 4 spot.

The former Newcastle striker chose Reds teenager Rio Ngumoha as one of his front three and has previously joined a growing list of soccer legends who've questioned whether the expensive Wirtz has truly adjusted to English football.

Shearer went with David Raya in goal, with Jurrien Timber, Gabriel, Virgil van Dijk and Riccardo Calafiori at the back.

His midfield trio featured Dominik Szoboszlai, Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice, with Bradley Barcola, Alexander Isak and Ngumoha completing his attack.

That left no room for Wirtz, despite the Germany international’s two assists in eight Premier League appearances. Shearer did not name a direct replacement, but his choices suggest he currently trusts other creative and attacking options more.

"We are still yet to see the best of Florian Wirtz. We've seen it in patches," Shearer said earlier in the year.

"But we haven't seen him go on a run to say: 'Wow, this guy is some player and that's why they spent that huge money on him." "We've yet to see that, and whether we will, we'll have to wait and see," he continued.

"I'm not sure. Because you don't get the time to do what you want to do on the ball at times in the Premier League because it's that gung-ho," he said.

His lineup also highlighted Liverpool's evolving attack, with Isak leading the side after scoring six league goals in seven appearances. Ngumoha's inclusion arrives after the highly touted teenager continues to search for his first goal this season.

As for the result, Shearer expects neither team to take all three points and a draw at Anfield on Sunday morning. He believes Liverpool can enter the championship conversation with a win, regardless of Manchester City's results against Brighton.

Arsenal have 21 points from eight games, with seven wins. ESPN rankings suggest the reigning league champions have three of the league's top six players: Rice second behind Erling Haaland, Bukayo Saka third, and Gabriel sixth.

Liverpool sit six points behind in third, so Sunday's encounter offers a chance to close the gap and establish themselves as contenders under first-year manager Andoni Iraola.