Arne Slot's IDEAL starting lineup after Richard Hughes transfer window masterclass

Liverpool’s first-team squad looks very different following the summer transfer window than the one which took the Premier League title last season.

Several heroes of that title-winning campaign have been sold - including Luis Diaz, Darwin Nunez and Trent Alexander-Arnold.

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Plenty more fringe men have also exited including Jarell Quansah, Harvey Elliott and Tyler Morton. And in their place have come some of the most expensive players ever signed by a British club.

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Alexander Isak is a new British record arrival - with his £130m fee surpassing the £116m the Reds may ultimately pay for Florian Wirtz.

What will LFC's best XI look like?

Hugo Ekitike has also been added to the attack for an initial £69m.

Both full-back slots have had a refit with Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez coming in and a very promising young defender in Giovanni Leoni has been recruited.

No fewer than three goalkeepers have come in - but Giorgi Mamardashvili is the only one set to receive any meaningful first-team minutes.

Once everything settles down, who could feature in Liverpool’s best matchday XI?

Of course injuries and suspensions WILL play a part as the season goes on - and Slot will use the option of resting key players at times throughout the campaign.

But with everyone available, here is Liverpool’s best XI.

Goalkeeper

Alisson Becker: No dispute here. Mamardashvili will accept his role as backup - for a season at least.

Defenders

Jeremie Frimpong: Although a natural wing-back rather than a traditional full-back, he gets the nod over Conor Bradley. Still there will be plenty of room for both in the same lineup if Slot decides to use his compatriot further up.

Milos Kerkez: Had a wobbly start in his first Premier League outings but we expect the £40m man to settle. Andy Robertson will not give up his spot without a fight though and could yet have his say.

Ibrahima Konate: May have been put under pressure for his place if Marc Guehi was signed on deadline day. As it stands, the Reds have a lack of competition at centre-back.

Virgil van Dijk: No-brainer.

Midfielders

Ryan Gravenberch: Solved a problem for Slot by going in as No6 last season and was a revelation. Among the best in the world in his position.

Dominik Szoboszlai: Based on their output early on in the season - and how well he’s responded to the challenge set by the acquisition of Wirtz - Dom gets the nod over Alexis Mac Allister.

Florian Wirtz: The £116m man still needs to light the touchpaper on his Liverpool career but Slot will persist with him until he gets going in the No10 role.

Forwards

Mo Salah: His output has not been the smartest so far this season and he will face pressure from Frimpong for his place. He will be missing for a long time due to AFCON too. But right now his numbers will keep him in the team.

Cody Gakpo: Slot may eventually use Wirtz or Ekitike from the left but having signed a new contract and started the season in good form, it’s fair to say that it’s the Dutchman’s shirt to lose.

Alexander Isak: It will be incredibly harsh for Ekitike to be bumped to the bench - but competition is the name of the game at top clubs. Isak was the dream signing and now the dream has come true.

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