How Arne Slot first ever Liverpool line-up could look with Mohamed Salah given new role

Liverpool will be without a number of senior stars when they report for pre-season at the start of July.

The Reds could have as many as 12 players competing in this summer’s European Championships in Germany, after Ben Doak's withdrawal from the Scotland squad, ahead of the final 26-man squads being confirmed at the end of the week. And, with Alisson Becker, Luis Diaz, Darwin Nunez and Alexis Mac Allister are all set to take part in the Copa America, that takes the potential total Reds of absentees to 16.

As a result, when new head coach Arne Slot takes charge of his first Liverpool match in pre-season, his maiden starting XI will look rather different to the side he will select when the new Premier League campaign gets underway on August 17.

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While the Reds are due to face Real Betis, Arsenal and Manchester United during their tour of the United States between July 27 and August 4, the rest of their pre-season schedule has yet to be announced. Consequently, Slot’s first opponents are not yet known, with Liverpool likely to have enjoyed roughly two weeks of pre-season training before departing for America.

Last season, having returned for pre-season on July 8, the Reds faced Karlsruher SC in their first pre-season friendly on July 19. They then took on Greuther Furth on July 24, with 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 reach at least the semi-finals of their respective continental tournaments can be expected to miss the tour of the United States.

But with the Reds’ first friendly likely to fall a fortnight prior to their first stateside match against Real Betis, and with Slot left without all of his internationals competing in both continental tournaments, we take a look at the first Liverpool XI he could potentially select…

Caoimhin Kelleher starts in goal despite uncertain future

Caoimhin Kelleher faces an uncertain future at Liverpool, with the Irishman recently admitting he intends to talk with Slot before deciding whether to move on in search of first-choice football elsewhere.

However, with Alisson set to represent Brazil at Copa America and Adrian out of contract, the 25-year-old will likely start pre-season in goal for the Reds as their only remaining senior goalkeeper.

One of six Liverpool players away currently on international duty at the moment but with no summer tournament to compete in, he should not miss any of pre-season with Ireland’s final friendly falling on June 11.

The same applies for both Conor Bradley and Kostas Tsimikas, who are currently away with Northern Ireland and Greece respectively. They should start at full-back in the Reds’ first friendly as a result, with Calvin Ramsay and Owen Beck the leading alternatives on either flank.

While Jarell Quansah was named in England’s 33-man provisional squad ahead of Euro 2024, he was left unused for their first warm-up friendly against Bosnia-Herzegovina despite the absence of first-choice centre-backs Harry Maguire and John Stones. If Quansah fails to make the final 26-man squad, which is due to be announced on June 8, he will be available to start at centre-back in Slot’s first game.

However, his centre-back partner is unclear. The likes of Nat Phillips, Sepp van den Berg - who reportedly wants to leave the club - and Rhys Williams are the most senior options, but all face uncertain futures. Consequently, Slot could instead turn to Luke Chambers, following his return from a successful loan stint with Wigan Athletic, or the highly-rated Amara Nallo, with the 17-year-old already having trained with the first team this season.

Harvey Elliott picks up where he left off

Harvey Elliott was unfortunate to be left out of the England squad after a strong end to the season, but he’s set to play a key role in Slot’s first-pre-season as a result. The 21-year-old will be tasked to pick up where he left off, starting in midfield while a number of his fellow Liverpool midfielders are away on international duty.

Wataru Endo could start at number six, with the 31-year-old set to be back for the start of pre-season after participating in Japan’s latest World Cup qualifiers. However, he could be selected as an overage player for the Olympics, which takes place between July 24 and August 9. Stefan Bajcetic is an alternative to the Japanese, but he could also be called up for Olympic duty by Spain.

If not selected in England’s final squad, Curtis Jones will be available to start and could complete the midfield trio. Otherwise, Bobby Clark is an alternative after an impressive breakthrough season under Jurgen Klopp.

The likes of Tyler Morton will also be looking to impress following a successful year on loan with Hull City, while 16-year-old Trey Nyoni should also be involved after making his Liverpool debut earlier this season.

Salah starts - and captains Slot’s first side

Mohamed Salah will return in time for the start of pre-season after competing in Egypt’s latest World Cup qualifiers this month. And he would likely captain Slot’s first Liverpool side, with the forward the only player from the club’s five-man leadership group not involved in a continental tournament this summer.

However, Egypt would like to include the 31-year-old in their squad as an overage player for the Olympics, though the Reds aren’t obliged to agree to his departure.

Following a successful half-season loan at Hull City, Fabio Carvalho could be given a chance to impress on the left flank. Lewis Koumas, who could come into the summer off the back of a senior international debut for Wales, is also an option.

Meanwhile, with Nunez, Cody Gakpo and Diogo Jota all set to still be away on international duty, Jayden Danns is well-placed to lead the attack following an impressive breakthrough season. Alternatively, Salah could transition into a more central attacking option with Elliott, Kaide Gordon or Ben Doak - if recovered from the injury that saw him withdraw from Scotland's Euro 2024 squad - alternatives on the right as a result.

However, with the transfer window set to officially open on June 14, you can’t rule out the possibility of Liverpool getting some early summer business done and Slot handing out Reds debut to potential big-money signings as a result.

Slot’s possible first Liverpool starting XI: Kelleher; Bradley, Quansah, Phillips, Tsimikas; Elliott, Endo, Clark; Salah, Danns, Carvalho.