Arne Slot’s first Liverpool lineup may look like this, with Mohamed Salah given a new role.

Arne Slot could be without up to 17 senior players when he takes control of Liverpool’s first pre-season match.

Liverpool will be without a handful of senior players when they report for preseason at the beginning of July.

Following Ben Doak’s resignation from the Scotland squad, the Reds could field up to 12 players in this summer’s European Championships in Germany. The final 26-man teams will be announced at the end of the week. And, with Alisson Becker, Luis Diaz, Darwin Nunez, and Alexis MacAllister all scheduled to play in the Copa America, the Reds’ total number of absentees might reach 16.

As a result, when new Liverpool head coach Arne Slot takes charge of his first pre-season match, his starting lineup will be somewhat different from the one he will select when the new Premier League season begins on August 17.

While the Reds are scheduled to face Real Betis, Arsenal, and Manchester United on their tour of the United States from July 27 to August 4, the remainder of their pre-season itinerary has yet to be announced. As a result, Slot’s initial opponents are unknown, with Liverpool expected to have completed approximately two weeks of pre-season training before heading for America.

Last season, after returning to pre-season on July 8, the Reds faced Karlsruher SC in their first pre-season friendly on July 19. They then played Greuther Furth on July 24, both games taking place in Germany, before departing for a tour of Singapore.

With the European Championships and Copa America finals both taking place on July 14, any Liverpool internationals who advance to the semi-finals of their respective continental championships are likely to miss the US tour.

With the Reds’ first friendly a fortnight before their first stateside match against Real Betis, with Slot’s internationals competing in both continental championships, we look at the first Liverpool XI he may select…

Caoimhin Kelleher begins in goal, despite an uncertain future.

Caoimhin Kelleher’s future at Liverpool is uncertain, with the Irishman recently admitting that he expects to consult with Slot before choosing whether to leave in quest of first-team play elsewhere.

With Adrian out of contract and Copa America on the horizon, the 25-year-old will most likely open the Reds’ pre-season in goal as their only remaining senior custodian.

He is one of six Liverpool players currently on international duty, although with no summer tournament to compete in, he should not miss any pre-season games, with Ireland’s final friendly scheduled for June 11.

The same goes for Conor Bradley and Kostas Tsimikas, who are now overseas with Northern Ireland and Greece, respectively. As a result, they should start at full-back in the Reds’ first friendly, with Calvin Ramsay and Owen Beck the best options on either wing.

Jarell Quansah was nominated to England’s 33-man preliminary squad for Euro 2024, but he was left out of their first warm-up friendly against Bosnia-Herzegovina, despite the unavailability of first-choice centre-backs Harry Maguire and John Stones. If Quansah does not make the final 26-man roster, which is set to be named on June 8, he will be eligible to start at centre-back in Slot’s first game.

However, his center-back partner is unknown. The most senior options are Nat Phillips, Sepp van den Berg (who apparently wants to leave the club), and Rhys Williams, all of whom have unclear futures. As a result, Slot could turn to Luke Chambers, who has returned after a good loan spell with Wigan Athletic, or the highly rated Amara Nallo, who has already practiced with the first squad this season.

Harvey Elliott continues where he left off.

Harvey Elliott was unfortunate to be left out of the England team following a solid season finale, but he’s expected to play a crucial role in Slot’s first pre-season as a result. The 21-year-old will be expected to take up where he left off, starting in midfield while some of Liverpool’s other midfielders are away on international duty.

Wataru Endo, 31, could start at number six after returning for pre-season after playing in Japan’s most recent World Cup qualifiers. However, he could be chosen as an overage player for the Olympics, which will take place from July 24 to August 9. Stefan Bajcetic is an alternative to the Japanese, although he may potentially be called up for Olympic duty by Spain.

If Curtis Jones is not chosen for England’s final roster, he will be eligible to start and might complete the midfield trio. Otherwise, Bobby Clark is an option following a great breakout season under Jurgen Klopp.

Tyler Morton will also be aiming to impress after a great year on loan with Hull City, and 16-year-old Trey Nyoni should play after earning his Liverpool debut earlier this season.

Salah starts and captains Slot’s first team.

Mohamed Salah will return in time for the start of preseason after playing in Egypt’s most recent World Cup qualifiers this month. And he would most certainly captain Slot’s first Liverpool team, as the forward is the only member of the club’s five-man leadership group not competing in a European tournament this summer.

Egypt, on the other hand, would like to include the 31-year-old in their Olympic squad as an overage player, albeit the Reds are under no obligation to approve to his departure.

Following a good half-season loan at Hull City, Fabio Carvalho may be given a chance to shine on the left side. Lewis Koumas, who may make his senior international debut for Wales this summer, is also an option.

Meanwhile, with Nunez, Cody Gakpo, and Diogo Jota all expected to remain away on international service, Jayden Danns is in a good position to lead the attack after a successful breakout season. Alternatively, Salah may move into a more central attacking role, with Elliott, Kaide Gordon, or Ben Doak – if fully healed from the injury that forced him to withdraw from Scotland’s Euro 2024 team – as options on the right.

However, with the transfer window scheduled to open on June 14, it is possible that Liverpool will conduct some early summer business, with Slot handing out Reds debuts to potential big-money newcomers.

Slot’s potential Liverpool starting lineup: Kelleher; Bradley, Quansah, Phillips, Tsimikas; Elliott, Endo, Clark; Salah, Danns, and Carvalho.