Rio Ferdinand has named his best XI for the first half of the Premier League season.
The 2024-25 campaign has already brought with it a number of compelling narratives as we approach the halfway mark.
In their first campaign in almost a decade without Jurgen Klopp in the dugout, Liverpool have emerged as favorites for the title, with Arne Slot's side sitting six points clear at the top of the table and a game in hand.
In the chasing group, Chelsea seem revitalized under Enzo Maresca, while Arsenal are once again fighting for the title.
Meanwhile, despite another strong start, Manchester City are in the midst of their worst run since Pep Guardiola took the reins.
On Saturday, Ferdinand was joined by Jody Morris, Joel Beya and his former Manchester United team-mate Owen Hargreaves, and the group was tasked with reaching a consensus on the team of the season so far.
Rio Ferdinand has named his team of the 2024-25 Premier League season so far
Mohamed Salah has earned a place in their eleven after a prolific start to the campaign so far with Liverpool
Meanwhile, Cole Palmer also earned a spot after maintaining his impressive form following his breakout season.
Gunners goalkeeper David Raya was the first to make the team, despite Beya's protests that Liverpool's Caoimhin Kelleher deserved attention after impressing while replacing the injured Alisson.
The group unanimously agreed when it came to centre-backs, with Virgil van Dijk and William Saliba getting the nod.
Saliba's Arsenal teammate Gabriel was eventually left out, with Ferdinand arguing that the Brazilian had been “unlucky” in not finding a place in the team.
Trent Alexander-Arnold was joined by Marc Cucurella in the full-back positions, and former Chelsea midfielder Morris insisted Arsenal's Jurrien Timber was also worthy of consideration.
Moisés Caicedo and Ryan Gravenberch won the midfield spots, and the group opted for a three-player front line behind a single striker.
After a prolific start to the campaign, Mohamed Salah was a favorite on the right side, accompanied by Cole Palmer in the middle.
A debate then ensued over who would play on the left, and Bukayo Saka was eventually selected out of position to ensure he did not lose a place.
The final piece of the puzzle came in the form of Erling Haaland, who enjoyed a thunderous start to the campaign but has struggled amid City's slide in form in recent weeks.
Bukayo Saka was included in the XI with a place on the left as Ferdinand insisted he could not be left out.
With Virgil van Dijk and William Saliba selected in the center of defence, Ferdinand added that Gabriel had been “unlucky” not to be selected.
Despite Liverpool suffering just one competitive defeat under Slot, Ferdinand insisted Enzo Maresca has had the most impressive managerial campaign yet.
“Arne Slot has been incredible, don't get me wrong,” he said in Rio Fernando presents.
“But he has taken charge of a very good team, a stable team, a stable club. The coach said that he will leave months before leaving, that he is capable of preparing and that he has not gone crazy in the transfer window in terms of recruitment.
'(Slot) already enters a well-oiled machine, but he stutters a little. (He) tweaked some things, nothing crazy, which is, I think, an art in itself, so I give them credit and they're flying.
'Maresca has entered a circus. We talked before the end of last season that they were in great shape. But still, kamikazee circus season, right? Everyone says, “Where are they going to be? They could finish 20th, they could finish 10th, they could finish second.” Everywhere.
'Having to deal with saga after saga (he) absolutely settles the ship and they are flying. More opportunities created, more shots on goal, more goals, etc., entertaining to watch, everything.'