As Liverpool’s pre-season kicks off against Preston North End on Sunday, here are a few things to look out for as Arne Slot looks to usher his new-look champions into a new era.
Where’s Wirtz?
A question on the minds of many Liverpool fans will be the position of club-record signing Florian Wirtz.
Though he has been primarily used as an attacking midfielder for former club Bayer Leverkusen, Wirtz likes to operate in wide areas and attack the final third to create goalscoring opportunities.
This differs from the role Dominik Szoboszlai plays for Liverpool, whose pressing was exploited by Slot but this was reflected in his relatively low attacking output.
However, Szoboszlai’s willingness to play deeper in midfield opens the door for Wirtz and Slot to craft a unique position that will surely play to the German’s strengths.
How he will operate alongside talisman Mohamed Salah is also food for thought, as the Egyptian seeks out subtle changes to his game to make him less predictable.
Attack the best form of defence?
The arrival of fullback duo Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong looks set to replace stalwarts Andy Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold, the latter now of Real Madrid.
As the new signings look to compensate for a combined 124 Premier League assists, Kerkez and Frimpong pose an even scarier prospect as they are even more attacking than their predecessors.
Both enjoy attacking the box and are well-versed in playing in possession-based sides, which poses a tactical conundrum for Liverpool.
Slot has used his fullbacks in a more conventional manner, perhaps prefacing Alexander-Arnold’s eventual departure and thus relied on his wingers to provide width.
With Kerkez and Frimpong now able to provide this, not only does it pose the question of Salah and Wirtz possibly moving more centrally but it also opens up a gap in the backline that needs to be filled.
Ryan Gravenberch will likely emerge as a contender to sit in front of Liverpool’s centre halves, while performing his duties as a deep-lying playmaker.
Only pre-season will reveal whether Slot’s changes are merely tactical tweaks or wholesale changes.
More personnel changes?
Liverpool have enjoyed a successful transfer window so far, with all of their incomings but outgoing players may start to pile up during pre-season.
Darwin Nunez looks set to leave the Reds, with Antonio Conte’s Napoli vying for the Uruguayan’s signature.
Luis Diaz has also been approached by Europe’s elite, despite the club’s stance that he is not for sale.
Fresh off the back of a successful Euro U21 campaign, Harvey Elliott’s future may be one to keep an eye on, while centre back and compatriot Jarell Quansah has already joined Bayer Leverkusen.
A couple more incomings perhaps wouldn’t go amiss at Liverpool, who are interested in Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi to replace Quansah.
The Reds may also look to sign a striker, with Hugo Ekitike of Eintracht Frankfurt and Newcastle’s Alexander Isak just a few of the names discussed.