Robertson and Nunez miss out: Arne Slot's first Liverpool lineup vs Ipswich Town predicted

Liverpool start their Premier League season with a trip to newly-promoted Ipswich Town this weekend, but what should their starting XI be?

The Arne Slot era goes up a gear on Saturday lunchtime, as he enjoys his first competitive match as Reds manager.

While no new signings have been made at Liverpool this summer, much to the frustration of many, Slot still has an enviable squad at his disposal.

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The question is: who will make the Reds' starting XI to face Ipswich in their 2024/25 opener?

Here's what we think...

Goalkeeper - Alisson

Alisson's inclusion on Saturday is a no-brainer, with the Brazilian arguably still the world's best goalkeeper.

Granted, not a huge amount of football has come his way since returning from Copa America duty, but he will slot back in like he has never been away.

Right-back - Trent Alexander-Arnold

For all the talk of Trent Alexander-Arnold potentially taking up a midfield role with Slot at the helm, he will surely continue at the right-back at Ipswich.

With a No.6 now seemingly not being signed this summer, which is a negligent decision, could the new Liverpool manager end up using him in the middle of the park at some point, though?

Centre-back - Jarell Quansah

Jarell Quansah has come on leaps and bounds over the past 12 months and is more than worthy of starting alongside Virgil van Dijk at Portman Road this weekend.

The 21-year-old feels like a more in-tune and solid option than Ibrahima Konate currently, although the Frenchman remains the superior choice when both are fit and firing at optimum level.

Centre-back - Virgil van Dijk

Van Dijk may have turned 33 years of age during the summer, but he remains as important as ever and is possibly the first name on Slot's first competitive team sheet.

The Liverpool captain will be integral to any hopes the Reds have of going all the way in the Premier League title race this season.

Left-back - Kostas Tsimikas

Kostas Tsimikas has done well throughout pre-season, making the most of Andy Robertson's lack of fitness to make the left-back spot his own.

Robertson is still first-choice when he is fully fit, but Tsimikas has a great chance of putting pressure on his teammate in the opening weeks of the season.

Centre midfield - Alexis Mac Allister

Many believe that Alexis Mac Allister will once again be a Player of the Year contender for Liverpool in 2024/25, having shone so brightly in his first year at Anfield.

The 25-year-old is the best midfielder at the club and will almost certainly start in a double pivot at Ipswich, even though he has lacked playing time since returning from a triumphant Copa America campaign with Argentina.

Centre midfield - Ryan Gravenberch

Perhaps the most surprising starter on Saturday will be Ryan Gravenberch, who has looked the part in a deeper midfield role this summer.

The Dutchman is ahead of Curtis Jones in the pecking order going into the weekend action, but while he has done well in pre-season, this will be a far bigger test of his credentials.

Attacking midfield - Dominik Szoboszlai

Dominik Szoboszlai's first year in a Liverpool shirt started off exceptionally but eventually petered out, but big things are expected of him this season.

The Hungarian maestro is expected to start in an attacking midfield berth in front of Mac Allister and Gravenberch, looking to wreak havoc with his pace and dynamism.

Harvey Elliott can think himself unlucky, though.

Right forward - Mohamed Salah

After a flat end to last season for Mohamed Salah, he has had the bit between his teeth all summer long, looking ready to explode under Slot.

Along with Alisson and Van Dijk, the Egyptian legend is one of Liverpool's three most important players, and it would be just like him to score on the opening weekend, as he loves to do.

Left forward - Luis Diaz

Luis Diaz was one of Liverpool's star figures in pre-season, scoring four goals overall, meaning he topped the summer charts.

Despite some doubts over his end product, and whether Darwin Nunez or Cody Gakpo could come in in place of him on the left wing, the Colombian fully warrants a start this weekend.

Striker - Diogo Jota

Diogo Jota has become an indispensable figure for Liverpool, standing out as the best finisher at the club, and he walks into Saturday's starting XI.

Nunez and Gakpo possess quality in their own right, but the Portuguese is purring at the moment, looking deadly in front of goal.

If Jota stays fit for most of the season, the Reds could achieve great things.