Arne Slot's dream, realistic and worst case starting XIs after Liverpool summer transfer window

Arne Slot was happy to sign up as the new Liverpool 'head coach' rather than manager, but it must be making his first summer a little more nervy than it might otherwise have been. Though the Dutchman will of course have a say in recruitment, the squad at his disposal come the end of the transfer window is to a certain extent out of his hands.

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

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

READ MORE: Liverpool transfer news LIVE: Jeremie Frimpong 'edge', Ederson timeline, Mo Salah 'replacement'

READ MORE: Mark Lawrenson gives verdict on Gary Lineker's Match of Day salary after 'hopeless' claim

Some things will be in Liverpool's control, while others are in the lap of the gods. With so many variables, Liverpool's team could end up looking vastly different depending on how the summer pans 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's a desire to focus on continuity, and the fact is that the former Feyenoord boss is inheriting a very strong squad.

It just needs a bit of fine-tuning. With Edwards now dictating big-picture policy, we can expect a focus on young players with high ceilings — and while they may not instantly propel Liverpool to the top honors, they will give Slot a platform to build on for years to come.

There will be lots of competition for Leny Yoro's signature, but the center-back fits those criteria. He and Jarell Quansah would set the Reds up for years.

Meanwhile, all of the key stars will be retained. Hopefully that means new deals, especially for Trent Alexander-Arnold, but in any case we shouldn't expect to see any marquee sales. That leaves Slot with some familiar decisions to make in the front line — he will do his best to unlock Nunez, and perhaps 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 holding midfielder. Wataru Endo has surpassed expectations, but there's a reason that the Reds wanted Moises Caicedo last summer, and hopefully Edwards is unleashed with similar kinds of money to spend.

There is a scarcity of elite options in the number six role, let alone young ones, so Liverpool will inevitably have to pay over the odds. But if it feels it has identified the right candidate, it should make the move regardless.

Could Joao Neves be that player? It's hard to say for sure, but he's certainly got a huge amount of promise, and it would be exciting to see Liverpool take the plunge. Alexis Mac Allister would be better further forward, striking up a pairing 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 would see Chelsea forced to change its mind as it finds a limited market for its other homegrown players.

In attack, someone like Bryan Mbuemo would be brought through the door as a long-term heir for Mohamed Salah. He could influence games off the bench, with Slot keen on changing his wingers in-game — hopefully bringing the best out of the existing front three.

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

Worst XI

We hinted at it earlier, but that looming contract apocalypse is really quite scary. If Liverpool gets through most of the summer without new deals 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 reach common ground with the two aging stars, perhaps so. As for Alexander-Arnold, in the nightmare scenario where his head is turned by Real Madrid, it would surely be unacceptable to risk losing him for nothing.

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

It speaks volumes for the squad depth that Liverpool would still have a reasonably strong team, but the very worst thing Edwards could do would be to sell without lining up elite replacements. The Reds don't want to forget the promising talents coming through the ranks, but nor do they want to have to rely on them.

Meanwhile, there are one or two too many goalkeeper links for comfort. If Saudi Arabia swayed Alisson and Caoimhin Kelleher moved on too, the Reds would be left scrambling, and Justin Bijlow of Feyenoord looks far too injury-prone to justify the emerging Liverpool links, especially as a first-choice.

Up top, if Nunez has a bad start, it may be that Slot has to turn to Diogo Jota. This wouldn't be terrible, but we're all hoping to see a new, improved version of the hugely promising Uruguayan in 2024/25.

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