Opinion: Arne Slot Can Deploy a Completely Fresh Liverpool XI Against Sevilla – and Knows His First Opportunity
Liverpool manager Arne Slot has been using pres-eason to experiment with his team, and the results have been promising. The Reds have secured two wins from two, marking a strong start to Slot’s tenure.
One of the benefits of Slot’s approach is the ability to deploy a completely fresh XI in the team’s final preseason match against Sevilla. This flexibility will allow him to assess his squad’s depth and make informed decisions ahead of the new season.
Slot has inherited a talented squad that is well-versed in the 4-3-3 formation, which features two number eights. This system was a hallmark of Jurgen Klopp’s tenure, and Slot is likely to build upon it.
However, he has dismissed suggestions that his own system is rigid, insisting that it is more fluid than previously thought.
Through two exhibition games, Slot’s approach has been vindicated. Liverpool have secured back-to-back wins, starting with a 1-0 victory over Real Betis at Acrisure Stadium, courtesy of a goal from Dominik Szoboszlai.
The Reds followed up this win with a 2-1 victory over Arsenal in Philadelphia, with goals from Mohamed Salah and Fabio Carvalho proving decisive.
Kai Havertz scored a consolation goal for the Gunners, but Liverpool’s attacking prowess was too much for them to handle.
Several players have already stood out during preseason, and Slot has a full XI at his disposal for the final warm-up match before the 2024/25 season begins.
With Manchester United being the first opponent, here is the lineup of untested players expected to be available before Sevilla’s visit to Anfield:
Alisson; Joe Gomez, Ibrahima Konate, Virgil van Dijk, Andy Robertson; Trent Alexander-Arnold, Alexis Mac Allister, Ryan Gravenberch; Luis Diaz, Darwin Nunez, Cody Gakpo.
Liverpool are expected to begin the season with a 4-3-3 formation, a setup that Slot used at Feyenoord. In his initial press conference, Slot expressed surprise that his past work was often associated with a 4-2-3-1 formation.
“I was hoping if people looked at my Feyenoord team, it wasn’t 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3,” Slot told reporters. “It’s 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 where I say I prefer a formation.
“If you asked me, I’d say we 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 are all young, it doesn’t matter much. It’s nice to see younger players come through. It always gives energy to a club, and players from the academy, but it is all about quality. If they continue doing well there is a fair chance they will play again.”
Liverpool will meet Sevilla in their final preseason match before starting their Premier League season against newly-promoted Ipswich Town at Portman Road. Slot has one last opportunity to fine-tune his team and finalize his best XI before the new year begins.
In other Liverpool news, Arne Slot Drops Double Liverpool Selection Hint for Manchester United Friendly
