They may be the defending Premier League champions, but they are certainly not resting on their laurels. Liverpool have been among the most active teams in the 2025 summer transfer window, with Arne Slot building a team that could very well be favourites to lift the crown next term.

The Dutchman has secured the services of Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez, Hugo Ekitike, Giovanni Leoni, and Florian Wirtz. Adding to that, the deadline day deal saw Alexander Isak finally secure his move to Anfield after a saga that dominated the window.

The strength in depth set to be at Slot’s disposal will be nothing short of incredible. And how he chooses to line up will no doubt vary throughout the next campaign, depending on fitness and fixture congestion. However, these are three of the most intriguing ways he could opt to set up.

Back Three Option

While the Reds largely stuck with the same formation last season, the new additions may give the champions the chance to be a tad more versatile than previously. The arrival of young Italian centre-back Leoni could create a physically formidable back three that also includes Ibrahima Konate and Virgil van Dijk, who are propped up by goalkeeping stalwart Alisson.

That would allow Frimpong and Kerkez more freedom to bomb forward as wing-backs to showcase their attacking strengths, playing in a similar line to the midfield duo of Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch, who starred last season.

Wirtz would take a position in the front three, namely on the left, with Mohamed Salah obviously keeping his place on the right, acting as the main goal threat. Ekitike and Isak would then be competing for the No.9 role, with the Swede expected to be the favoured option, at least initially.

4-3-3 Returns

Of course, there is every chance Slot thinks, “If it’s not broken, don’t fix it.” In which case, the 4-3-3 may remain. Perhaps more suited to it at the back is Conor Bradley, who may be preferred to Frimpong, as Konate and Van Dijk continue their partnership.

This would also give Dominik Szoboszlai an opportunity in a midfield three. Of course, there would be no unseating the other two central players, while Salah and Wirtz would again take up positions on either side of the attack, with Isak again commanding a space down the middle.

4-2-3-1 Sees Ekitike Play Out Wide

Alternatively, Slot could find a way of making Wirtz a more standard number 10 by utilising a 4-2-3-1 system. While Joe Gomez could partner Van Dijk in the middle and Robertson could regain his spot at left-back, one surprise inclusion could be goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili, who was signed last summer but returned to Valencia on loan. The Georgian is already being earmarked as the long-term replacement for Alisson, and if the Brazilian struggles with injuries, the new shot-stopper could be handed his chance.

With Wirtz moving to the 10, and Isak surely earning a starting berth, it would mean that there is a space for someone on the left. While this could be used for someone like Cody Gakpo, it may well be new boy Ekitike who plays there. While seemingly brought in to play as the focal point, he may have to take the route that many budding young strikers do and shift out wide to accommodate the more experienced Swede.