As Liverpool look set to welcome their 4th signing of the summer with Milos Kerkez, Arne Slot’s second Liverpool team looks set to be very different to his first edition.
When looking forward to the team it seems like Slot will be sticking with a similar system and that’s how I will be building the best team for Liverpool next season, with the 4-2-3-1.
Starting XI
GK: Alisson Becker
The best goalkeeper in the world will continue his journey at Liverpool, with Giorgi Mamardashvilli arriving, some more minutes may be shared to the Georgian shot stopper.
It will be another season where Alisson’s presence will be vital for any success, much like all his time at LFC.
RB: Jeremie Frimpong
The new full back, brought in to bring competition and also replace the last one.
The flying Dutchman has a big task on his hands to bring the same creativity he did at Leverkusen. He will be deployed in a deeper position than his one in Germany, but he will be expected to bring a similar level of energy and quality to this team.
Another position that may have shared minutes, with academy graduate Conor Bradley, who Arne Slot loves, also expected to get a significant number of minutes during the season.
CB: Ibrahima Konate
The big French centre-back enters the final year of his contract, looking to take another step to becoming the successor to Virgil van Dijk.
Talks of another Liverpool player joining Real Madrid on a free, but with Ibou it feels as though there is more of a feeling he wants to be with Liverpool.
His physical attributes are like few others in the world, 6’4, as quick as most wingers and quality with the ball at his feet, with the man next to him the only one who could compete with Ibou.
CB: Virgil van Dijk
Captain fantastic. He can do no wrong at this football club and his leadership will once again be an important factor to Arne Slot’s success on Merseyside.
Proving he is still the best once again last season, his dominance and presence on the pitch is on par with Alisson and Mo Salah in this team.
LB: Milos Kerkez
The man who looks set to be the next through the door at Anfield.
The Hungarian left back was unbelievable at Bournemouth last season. His energy up and down the pitch was a sight to behold and match this with his sweet left-foot, this looks to be as safe as a signing as it gets.
He isn’t just a bundle of energy and attacking prowess, the defensive work he puts in is great and match that with the passion he clearly has for this club, with the funny self-announcements and the reported rejection of any other club.
CM: Ryan Gravenberch
The biggest revelation from the last year. The designated defensive midfielder in the team has taken his game to another level under Arne Slot, his game on the half-turn and his defensive awareness is second to none in the Premier League.
His importance to Slot's system can’t be understated and could be similar coming into this season.
His coverage of the full backs will be key to his play again this season with more marauding full backs, in Kerkez and Frimpong.
CM: Alexis Mac Allister
Our Argentine maestro, Mac10 might not be his nickname come the start of the new season with the arrival of Florian Wirtz.
His passing ability and ability to dictate the tempo of the game is something that Liverpool have not had since Steven Gerrard.
He, much like his midfield partner, is vital to the way Slot wants to play and how Liverpool execute their best moves.
RW: Mohamed Salah
The Egyptian king returns for another season looking to further build upon his extraordinary resume at LFC.
His goals are always a key factor to Liverpool’s game but over time, Mo, has massively developed his game to feature fabulous playmaking ability.
His 57 goal contributions last term somehow haven’t got him into the serious Ballon D’Or talks, but we all know this will do nothing to Mo’s confidence and his ability to break more records.
One thing that will need to develop is the team as a whole contributing for the team, Mo was involved in 66% of the goals Liverpool scored last season, a figure 6% higher than the next player in the Premier League.
CAM: Florian Wirtz
Liverpool’s new record signing. The German playmaker has big expectations and certainly has the ability to meet them.
His energy, technical and physical ability all add up to him being one of, if not the most, exciting young talents in world football.
Since the start of the 2023/24 season only his new teammate Mo Salah has contributed more assists and the two of them will now be looking to assist and score for each other.
LW: Cody Gakpo
Another member of the ever-growing Dutch contingent at LFC. Cody’s goalscoring has become a key part to his game, with the ability he has to pop up with goals in big moments and consistently over the course of the season.
At the midpoint of the season Cody had a 9-game streak of scoring in the home games, this consistency was huge for his importance to Arne Slot and Liverpool’s title charge.
The winger will be expected to build from last season and bring even more than his 18 goals to the plate.
ST: Luis Diaz
The position that will be the most talked about for the whole of the summer. I just don’t think Alexander Isak will force the move, Newcastle will not be needing or wanting to sell, and Liverpool will happily wait for their man and not settle for any other.
Back to the man who I think will be starting, Lucho has been talked about a lot building up to this summer transfer window, with some reports saying Liverpool would be willing to let the Colombian go.
These rumours have, so far, been wide of the mark with LFC looking keen to keep the mercurial winger.
Lucho can often dip in and out of form, but when at his best is most definitely the man to play off the left wing.
He once again progressed with his goalscoring last season with 17 goals in all competitions, a number he will once again be looking to surpass.
Further Additions
Away from the starting XI I think there will be two more signings, a centre back and attacker.
A new centre-back will be a key addition this summer with the departure of Jarell Quansah, and recent rumours have suggested that Liverpool are keen to bring in England international and Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi.
This would be a huge coup for Liverpool, and a big jump in quality from Quansah to Guehi.
If the newly announced relegation of Lyon is upheld, I believe that Liverpool will pounce on a massively discounted Malick Fofana, the 20-year-old winger had an impressive year at Lyon and caught the eye of the LFC recruitment fanatics.
It was his first full season in France and his 16 goal contributions are solid numbers for the youngster.