How Arne Slot's first Liverpool team could look in preseason with 17 first-team stars missing

Arne Slot has started work as Liverpool manager. Jurgen Klopp's replacement officially began his role last weekend (June 1) and is now beginning to make plans for the future at Anfield.

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In the coming weeks, he will start taking preseason training as players return in July after their time off following the conclusion of the Premier League season. But a busy summer of international football means the majority of Slot's biggest stars will be missing.

The European Championships and Copa America are both taking place, and Mohamed Salah could also receive a call-up to the Egypt squad for the Paris Olympics. That means up to 17 players could be missing by the time the Liverpool squad meets up for the first time under Slot, with those involved in international tournaments set to be given time off before rejoining pre-season at a later date.

At this moment in time, it is unclear when Slot will take charge of his first game. Liverpool is due to head to the United States for a pre-season tour, with the first of three confirmed friendlies scheduled for July 26 against Real Betis in Pittsburgh. However, in previous years Liverpool has arranged friendlies before heading on tour, meaning Slot's first game could yet take place before that.

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Either way, it looks like the Reds involved in international tournaments - including first-team stars such as Alisson, Virgil van Dijk, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Darwin Nunez, Diogo Jota, Andy Robertson and many more, will be missing when Slot names his first Liverpool starting XI. That could open the door to a host of other players.

Sepp van den Berg and Nathaniel Phillips could be among limited central defensive options after their recent loan spells, although they could be playing more to put themselves in the shop window for their next move. There's a chance Jarell Quansah could be able to feature as he is not widely expected to make Gareth Southgate's final England squad for Euro 2024.

In midfield, Wataru Endo, the Japan international, is one of the only first-teamers who won't be on international duty this summer. Tyler Morton, fresh off an impressive loan spell at Hull City, is likely to get a chance to impress while Stefan Bajcetic will hope for a full pre-season after an injury-plagued last season.

In attack, Harvey Elliott was unfortunate to miss out on the England squad and will be one of the few first-team regulars available for Slot's full pre-season. Fabio Carvalho is also out to impress as he returns from his Hull City loan spell, while youngsters such as Kaide Gordon or Jayden Danns could get a chance to impress in attack.

How Liverpool could lineup in first preseason game: Caoimhín Kelleher, Conor Bradley, Sepp van den Berg, Nathaniel Phillips, Kostas Tsimikas, Wataru Endo, Stefan Bajcetic, Tyler Morton, Harvey Elliott, Fabio Carvalho, Kaide Gordon.