Arne Slot’s Liverpool lineup for opener with 13 missing tour. #liverpooltv #premierleague #anfield
Arne Slot will be in charge of a Premier League match for the first time in less than a month, but he has been preparing without several of Liverpool’s senior players. Slot, who succeeded Jurgen Klopp in June, had his first chance to see his squad in action when a Liverpool XI lost to Preston North End in a closed-door friendly. Last season’s Premier League third-place finishers will kick off their campaign against newly-promoted Ipswich Town on August 17, but they have several friendlies in the United States before then.
The Reds are far from full strength for their tour, with 13 players absent. Of these, 11 are missing due to their international commitments at the European Championships or Copa America, while Bobby Clark and Jayden Danns are sidelined with injuries. The other 11 absentees include Alisson, Joe Gomez, Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate, Luis Diaz, Darwin Nunez, Alexis Mac Allister, Cody Gakpo, Diogo Jota, Ryan Gravenberch, and Trent Alexander-Arnold. By the time the season starts, many of these players could be back in contention.
For now, Slot’s starting lineup will look quite different. Additionally, with summer transfers on the horizon, the former Feyenoord boss is expected to make new additions after the departures of players like Joel Matip and Thiago.
So, how might Liverpool’s starting XI look when the season opens? We are has considered what might be in store.
Goalkeeper And Defense
Former Liverpool goalkeeping coach John Achteberg suggested that retaining Claudio Taffarel might have kept Alisson from moving on. Current goalkeeper coach Taffarel has a good rapport with Alisson and stayed on despite the departures of other members of Klopp’s coaching staff. “They were smart to keep Taffarel because if they had replaced him as well, they probably would have told Alisson to find a new club,” Achteberg told The Football Historian podcast.
In front of the goalkeeper, the focus is as much on who remains as who departs. Many hope Trent Alexander-Arnold will sign a new deal despite interest from Real Madrid. There could be a new face, although Liverpool-linked Leny Yoro has been signed by Manchester United. Marc Guehi has been mentioned as a possible addition, regardless of whether Virgil van Dijk stays. The Crystal Palace defender’s mobility and versatility could fit well at Anfield and help usher in a new era.
Midfield
Thiago’s departure creates space for a new signing, and Ederson has been mentioned as a potential addition. He might stay at Bergamo, but if not, an Anfield move could be possible.
Alexis Mac Allister adjusted well to his midfield role last season, while Dominik Szoboszlai might need a boost after a challenging second half of the season.
Attack
Despite speculation about a move for Takefusa Kubo, Mohamed Salah is likely to start the season as Liverpool’s first-choice right winger. The Egyptian is in the final year of his contract but has joined Slot for pre-season and will be a key figure in the US tour. Reports suggest interest in Luis Diaz from major European clubs, but ideally, the Colombian would stay. A combination of Diaz, Salah, Cody Gakpo, Diogo Jota, and Darwin Nunez is expected to feature in the opener.
Slot is likely to utilize all his attacking options extensively, with Champions League football back on the agenda.
Liverpool’s Dream XI: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Guehi, Van Dijk, Robertson; Ederson, Mac Allister; Salah, Szoboszlai, Diaz; Jota.
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