How the new manager Arne Slot might arrange Liverpool’s lineup after selecting four important individuals

Arne Slot has been named by Liverpool as Jürgen Klopp’s replacement. Although the two coaches play a similar style of football, this summer will see some important decisions made.

Even though the Liverpool starting lineup will mostly remain the same, Arne Slot’s arrival in the dugout for the upcoming campaign will be a significant adjustment. Since October2015, Jürgen Klopp has served as the chairman.

The Telegraph claims that although Slot has expressed his desire for more from Darwin Núñez, the Uruguayan is still viewed as a “crucial” component of his ambitions. In the meanwhile, fresh deals are seen as priorities for Trent Alexander-Arnold, Virgil van Dijk, and Mohamed Salah. As things stand, all three of them could become free agents in the summer of 2025.

Although Salah and Van Dijk will turn 32 and 33 this summer, respectively, Liverpool is rumoured to believe that a combination of youth and experience will be crucial going forward. Even though they will need to be managed as they age, neither of them appears to be seriously declining in their ability to perform; they still have a lot left to give.

But given all of that, how might Liverpool appear? Alisson Becker will not be leaving his position as custodian; however, the defence, which has allowed far too many goals this season, needs to make a few decisions.

One of the first things Slot will have to figure out at right-back is the ideal place to use Alexander-Arnold. The Liverpool number 66 has recently taken on a hybrid role, although his efficiency in that capacity is still debatable at times, and he may eventually transition into a full-time midfielder role.

Conor Bradley may play more frequently if he moved into midfield, but Harvey Elliott or Dominik Szoboszlai would have to give up their centre position. Although there isn’t a simple answer, Slot might go with it since he has experience playing with hybrid players at Feyenoord.

Liverpool needs a center-back because of Ibrahima Konaté’s play and Joël Matip’s impending free agency departure, and Jarell Quansah has had such a strong season that he is in the running for the European Championship with England. Even if there will be rotation due to the number of games left, finding Van Dijk the right partner will be crucial.

A few players in the Liverpool attack are under suspicion. Diogo Jota is prone to injuries, and Núñez, Luis Díaz, and Cody Gakpo still have a lot of potential. Salah, on the other hand, is still a potent goalscorer and creator but has lost some of the explosiveness that marked his arrival from AS Roma.

In addition to discussing Salah’s potential move into a central role—as a number nine or ten—Liverpool may be looking to add another attacker this summer. Salah might be useful if asked to stay closer to goal, but the Reds won’t want to follow in the footsteps of Cristiano Ronaldo at Manchester United, where the Portuguese player only offers goals.

The biggest puzzle, though, is Núñez. He needs to practise staying composed in front of goal and staying onside more frequently. Having someone who misses opportunities is better than having a guy who doesn’t even get into the positions, yet few players have as many major chances as he does.

Although the Uruguayan’s production has to increase, there is cause for optimism that all five forwards could score more frequently in the upcoming campaign. There’s a next level to go with each of them.

A potential Liverpool line-up next season under Arne Slot:  Alexander-Arnold; Alisson, New Defender, Van Dijk, Robertson; Elliott, New Midfielder, jota; Salah, Núñez, Mac Allister

Alternative option: Alisson; Bradley, New Defender, Robertson Van Dijk; Alexander-Arnold,  Szoboszlai, Mac Allister; Salah, Núñez, Díaz