Arne Slot’s dream, realistic and worst-case starting XI after Liverpool’s summer transfer window

Arne Slot was happy to sign on as Liverpool’s new ‘head coach’ rather than manager, but he must make his first summer a little more nervy than it might have been otherwise. While the Dutchman will of course have a say in recruitment, the squad he has at his disposal at the end of the transfer window is somewhat out of his hands.

The good news for Liverpool is that renowned transfer guru Michael Edwards is back in the building, working as CEO of football for owners FSG. The extent of his day-to-day involvement remains to be seen, but he has set about building a cracking squad, appointing Richard Hughes as sporting director while orchestrating the return of Julian Ward.

Their collective goal will be to build Slot a winning football team. But even the best laid plans can go awry, and Edwards and co. undoubtedly face three distinct scenarios this summer.

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Some things will be in Liverpool’s control, while others are in the lap of the gods. With so many variables, Liverpool’s squad could end up looking very different depending on how the summer plays out.

Realistic XI

Starting with the most realistic outcome, we can expect Slot to have a relatively quiet first summer. With Jurgen Klopp leaving, there is a desire to focus on continuity and the truth is that the former Feyenoord boss is inheriting a very strong squad.

It just needs a little fine tuning. With Edwards now dictating overall policy, we can expect them to focus on young players with high ceilings – and while they may not instantly propel Liverpool to the top honours, they will give Slot a platform on to build it in the years to come.

There will be plenty of competition for Leny Yoro’s signature, but the centre-back fits that criteria. He and Jarell Quansah would put the Reds on it for years.

Meanwhile, all key stars will be retained. Hopefully this means new deals, particularly for Trent Alexander-Arnold, but in any case we shouldn’t expect to see any big sales. That leaves Slot with some familiar decisions to make on the front line – he’ll do his best to unblock Nunez, and maybe we could see Cody Gakpo excel.

Realistic XI: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Yoro, Van Dijk, Robertson; Mac Allister, Szoboszlai, Jones; Salah, Núñez, Gakpo.

Best XI

It wouldn’t be the perfect summer without Liverpool buying a specialist possession midfielder. Wataru Endo has exceeded expectations, but there’s a reason the Reds wanted Moises Caicedo last summer, and hopefully Edwards is unleashed with similar types of money to spend.

There is a dearth of elite options in the number six role, let alone youngsters, so Liverpool will inevitably have to overpay. But if he feels he has identified the right candidate, he should make the move regardless.

Could Joao Neves be that player? It’s hard to say for sure, but he certainly has a huge amount of promise and it would be exciting to see Liverpool make the move. Alexis Mac Allister would be better further forward, pairing up with Harvey Elliott, who is ready to take the next step and become a truly key player.

Elsewhere, the defense would also be strengthened. Levi Colwill looks off-limits, but a dream summer could see Chelsea forced to change their minds as they find a limited market for other domestic players.

In attack, someone like Bryan Mbuemo would have brought in the door as a long-term heir for Mohamed Salah. He could influence matchups off the bench, with Slot keen to switch wings in the game – hopefully bringing the best out of the existing front three.

Best XI: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, ColwillVan Dijk, Robertson; Neves, Elliott, Mac Allister; Salah, Núñez, Diaz.

Worst XI

I alluded to this earlier, but the looming contract apocalypse is really quite scary. If Liverpool go through most of the summer without new offers for Alexander-Arnold, Van Dijk or Salah, the transfer questions will become more pressing.

Is there a world where Edwards would decide to cash in? If he feels it’s impossible to find common ground with the two aging stars, maybe so. As for Alexander-Arnold, in the nightmare scenario of Real Madrid turning his head, it would certainly be unacceptable to risk losing him for nothing.

It’s hard to see any of them go, never mind all of them. But the departures of Fabinho and Jordan Henderson last summer were a shock, so you never know for sure.

It speaks volumes for the depth of the squad that Liverpool would still have a pretty strong squad, but the worst thing Edwards could do would be to sell without fielding elite replacements. The Reds don’t want to forget the promising talent coming through the ranks, but they also don’t want to have to rely on them.

Meanwhile, there are one or two too many goalkeeper links for comfort. Should Saudi Arabia sway Alisson and Caoimhin Kelleher also move on, the Reds would be left scrambling and Feyenoord’s Justin Bijlow looks far too injury-prone to justify emerging links with Liverpool, especially as first choice.

Up top, if Nunez gets off to a bad start, Slot may have to turn to Diogo Jota. That wouldn’t be terrible, but we’re all hoping to see a new and improved version of the hugely promising Uruguayan in 2024/25.

Worst XI: Bijlow; Bradley, Konate, Quansah, Robertson; Mac Allister, Szoboszlai, Jones; Gakpo, Jota, Diaz.