Liverpool moved quickly to hire Arne Slot following Jurgen Klopp’s departure from the club after nine years, and the Reds are set to undergo a major transition.
Slot’s hiring underwhelmed many fans, but Eredivisie followers believe he is one of the most exciting managers the league has produced in recent years.
The 45-year-old turned AZ Alkmaar into title contenders and won the league and KNVB Cup when he went to Feyenoord.
He may not be the most glamorous managerial choice, but his teams play exciting football, and Liverpool fans might be in for a pleasant surprise next season.
Fans keen on seeing Slot’s philosophy in action can secure their Liverpool tickets for the upcoming 2024/25 season at seatsnet.com to roar the Reds on.
The Dutch manager, known for his possession-based, attacking style at Feyenoord, is expected to bring a fresh approach to Liverpool.
But how will this translate to the starting XI? Here’s a look at how the Reds could line up.
Formation: Slot favours a flexible system, switching between a 4-3-3 and a 4-2-3-1. Both formations could work at Liverpool, depending on the opposition.
Goalkeeper
There is plenty of uncertainty regarding the goalkeeping position at Liverpool for the first time in years, with the Saudi Pro League interested in a move for first-choice goalie Alisson Becker.
The Brazilian international could be enticed to join his former colleagues and international teammates Roberto Firmino and Fabinho in the Middle East.
Liverpool’s second choice, Caoimhin Kelleher, is keen on becoming a first choice, and that might prompt him to seek a move away from Anfield this summer. He has interest from the Premier League and the Scottish Premiership.
Even the third choice, Adrian, is contemplating a return to Spain even though the club has offered him a new contract.
Amid all the rumours, Liverpool have not registered their interest in a goalie to replace Alisson.
He is arguably the most complete keeper in the top five European leagues, and the Reds are desperate to keep him. If he stays, the Brazilian international will likely be the first choice for Slot.
Full-back
Liverpool left-back Andrew Robertson has been a mainstay in the first team since joining from Hull City in 2017. It will likely remain the status quo under Slot.
However, the Scotland international struggled with his fair share of injury setbacks last season, forcing Klopp to use central defender Joe Gomez at left-back. The Merseyside club might consider signing another full-back for competition.
Kostas Tsmikas has been underwhelming and could be sold to create space for another left-back.
On the opposite side of the pitch, Slot has to decide what to do with right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Klopp slotted him into midfield last season, and England manager Gareth Southgate looks set to use him in the centre at the 2024 European Championship. Slot might have the same idea.
Alexander-Arnold’s passing range and lack of defensive nous might see him take a starting berth in midfield instead of defence, leaving last season’s breakout star Conor Bradley in the role.
Depending on Slot’s decision, the Reds might need to sign a new right-back to allow Alexander-Arnold to move into midfield. The Merseysiders are reportedly eyeing Slot’s captain at Feyenoord, Lutsharel Geertruida.
Centre-back
Virgil Van Dijk may be entering the final year of his contract at the club, but he will most likely stay on to lead the players into the new era.
Ibrahima Konate is expected to be his partner in the centre of defence. However, the former RB Leipzig man spent most of last season battling niggling injuries.
Konate is one of the best young centre-backs in the sport, but his injuries, coupled with Joel Matip’s departure, mean Liverpool must be in the market for a new central defender.
Liverpool have been linked with several names, from Sporting CP duo Ousmane Diomande and Goncalo Inacio to Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi.
But Liverpool usually play their cards close to their chest, and fans must wait to see what move they pull out.
Liverpool also have the exciting Jarell Quansah and the versatile Gomez on their books to provide defensive cover.
Midfield
Whether Slot plays a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1, he will need a holding midfielder to bolster his ranks.
After missing out on Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia last summer, Liverpool signed Wataru Endo from Stuttgart, filling the void left by Fabinho. Nevertheless, the Reds must look into potential signings to anchor the midfield.
Endo is 31 and won’t be getting younger. There is also the feeling that the club can sign an upgrade on the Japan international.
The rumour mill has churned Atalanta’s Ederson and FC Porto’s Alan Varela as defensive midfield targets, but sources close to the club have remained tight-lipped.
Liverpool fans will just have to wait and see what the club has in store, but a new defensive midfielder is a must-buy this summer.
Curtis Jones, Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister, Dominick Szoboszlai, Harvey Elliott, and possibly Alexander-Arnold are skilled and versatile enough to cover the other midfield positions.
Forward Line
The most uncertainty lies across the forward positions where there are several unknowns.
On the left wing, Luis Diaz had a hot and cold first full season at the club. The Colombian dazzled with his energetic dribbling and dragged the team up the pitch with his ball-carrying.
Despite his exciting showing, Diaz struggled with his finishing. He managed eight goals and five assists in 37 Premier League appearances, missing 12 big chances.
Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain are interested in his services, and the Reds might consider a sale if they stump up a €75 million fee.
In case of a departure, Liverpool must dip into the market for a replacement – someone with a similar profile and hopefully better finishing.
Interestingly, Dutch winger Cody Gakpo is a known entity for Slot, and he could decide to trust the former PSV Eindhoven man on the left flank.
Over on the right flank, Mohamed Salah’s future is in the air, as he has one year left on his deal with the club.
The Saudi League will be after his signature again this summer, and Liverpool could be tempted to cash in if the Saudis bring a significant sum big enough to replace him and make additions in other positions.
However, more likely, the Reds will try and keep him on. He is the club’s talisman, and they need his goals to smoothen this transition.
At centre-forward, Liverpool have a puzzle to solve. Despite showing signs of improvement last season, Darwin Nunez continues to be alarmingly wasteful in front of goal.
Only Erling Haaland missed more big chances than the Uruguayan (27) in the Premier League last season.
However, they cannot just dismiss the £85 million man for another possible big-money addition. Liverpool need to reinforce the centre-forward area but must do it with tact.
The club might move for a cut-rate/shrewd addition like Bryan Mbeumo to lift the scoring burden and hope Diogo Jota can put behind his injury-ravaged season.
How Liverpool could line-up under Slot
(4-3-3): Alisson; Lutsharel Geertruida, Ibrahima Konate, Virgil van Dijk, Andrew Robertson; Wataru Endo, Alexis Mac Allister, Trent Alexander-Arnold; Luis Diaz, Cody Gakpo, Mohamed Salah.
