The World XI is a team comprising of the best eleven players in the world in a calendar year, and is voted for by the professional players themselves.
There is a shortlist of 55 players deemed the best in the world, which is then narrowed down five-fold for the final award. The award started in 2005, when Coutinho’s compatriot Ronaldinho won the FIFA World Player of the Year award as well as a place in the XI.
Listed below are the Liverpool players who have made it into the final XI in the past:
2007: Steven Gerrard
2008: Steven Gerrard, Fernando Torres
2009: Steven Gerrard, Fernando Torres
Ex-Liverpool men Luis Suarez and Xabi Alonso have both appeared in the World XI in their time at Barcelona and Real Madrid respectively.
