How Liverpool could form after Arne Slot reveals his formation position

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has revealed that 4-3-3 was the formation he mainly used – so what will his starting XI look like at the start of the season?

Slot inherits an Anfield side more accustomed to sticking with a 4-3-3 formation with two number eights rather than two more defensive players, as that was the system used by Jurgen Klopp throughout his illustrious tenure. The Dutchman dismissed suggestions that he only played with a double pivot in midfield while at Feyenoord, insisting that his system is much more fluid than has been reported.

During his first press conference, Slot expressed his surprise that people saw his previous work as being related to a 4-2-3-1. If he had to name a strict formation, Slot revealed that 4-3-3 is how he would line up.

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“I was hoping that if people looked at my Feyenoord team, it wasn’t 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3,” Slot told reporters. “There is a lot of freedom to take different positions, a lot of freedom when we have the ball, sometimes 4-1-4-1. I wouldn’t put myself in a position to say I prefer a lineup. If you ask me, I’d say I played 4-3-3 at Feyenoord. When we don’t have the ball, we want to be really aggressive.”

He added: “I like to see good players and if they’re all young it doesn’t matter too much. Nice to see younger players coming through. He always gives energy to a club, to players in the academy, but it’s all about quality. If he keeps going well, there’s a good chance he’ll play again.”

With no new signings included, this is the XI Liverpool fans can expect to see in 2024/25: Alisson; Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ibrahima Konate, Virgil van Dijk, Andy Robertson; Wataru Endo, Alexis McAllister, Dominik Szoboszlai; Mohamed Salah, Darwin Nunez, Luis Diaz.

This lineup still gives Liverpool options off the bench. Diogo Jota is a fan favorite for his ability to influence games at all times, while his boundless energy will no doubt excite Slot, along with Cody Gakpo and midfield alternatives Curtis Jones and the versatile Harvey Elliott.

While Jarell Quansah rose to prominence in a promising debut campaign after breaking through, the defense seems more set in stone. Alexander-Arnold and Robertson are established stars bombing up and down the wing, while van Dijk is back to his best alongside Konate in central defence.

Midfield and attack are more up for debate given the talent on the bench, particularly on the left wing, with so many names linked with a move – including Anthony Gordon and Nico Williams. In midfield, Mac Allister and Szoboszlai are almost certain to start given strong debut seasons last year, and Endo provides the solidity.

Liverpool face Real Betis, Arsenal, Manchester United and Sevilla in pre-season before opening their Premier League campaign against newly promoted Ipswich Town at Portman Road. Slot has plenty of time to sort himself out and settle on his best XI before then.