As Liverpool prepares for a blockbuster clash against Manchester United at Old Trafford, the spotlight will be on new signing Federico Chiesa, who could make his debut for the Reds. Having joined Liverpool from Juventus on a cut-price deal, Chiesa is eligible to play after being registered before the Friday midday deadline. However, manager Arne Slot is likely to ease him into the team rather than thrust him into the starting lineup for such a high-stakes game. Instead, Chiesa might see some minutes off the bench.

Liverpool's predicted starting lineup in Slot's 4-3-3 formation For this encounter, it is anticipated that Slot will stick with a familiar lineup, given the team's strong start to the season with two 2-0 victories over Ipswich and Brentford. The lineup that secured these wins is likely to be closely replicated, potentially with only minor tweaks.

Liverpool's transition under Arne Slot marks a subtle yet significant shift from Jurgen Klopp's high-intensity, aggressive style of play. Slot's philosophy introduces a nuanced evolution of this approach. While both Klopp and Slot emphasize pressing, Slot incorporates more structural discipline and control, particularly in possession. His tactical system retains high-intensity pressing but balances it with enhanced positional play and ball retention. This balance has been reflected in Liverpool's record-breaking 92% pass completion rate in Slot's second game in charge-a statistic that underscores a more controlled and precise style of play.

There has been debate over whether Liverpool under Slot play a 4-3-3 or a 4-2-3-1 formation as Dominik Szoboszlai seems to be operating in a more advanced role. Szoboszlai's comments offer a glimpse into the changes in the midfield roles, reflecting Slot's blend of innovation and continuity. While Klopp's 4-3-3 system was a hallmark of his tenure, Slot's formation, though often described as a 4-2-3-1, incorporates elements of both the old and new. In Slot's system, Liverpool's midfield consists of one defensive midfielder (No. 6), one central midfielder (No. 8), and one attacking midfielder (No. 10), with Szoboszlai frequently occupying the No. 10 role.

Szoboszlai said, "

"Well we played differently a little bit," he said when asked what Slot wants from his midfield.

"Because we played with one No. 6 and two No. 8s, with one of the No. 8s dropping as a No. 6.

"Now we play with one No. 8, one No. 6 and one No. 10, and I had the role of the No. 10, but still sometimes I can drop, sometimes I can stay.

This adjustment allows players like Szoboszlai to leverage their offensive strengths more effectively. Previously, Szoboszlai was tasked with more defensive duties, similar to Jordan Henderson's role, which somewhat restricted his attacking potential. Under Slot's new setup, Szoboszlai has more freedom to advance and create opportunities, reflecting his natural inclination as a more offensive midfielder. As the 4-2-3-1 formation means playing with a pure number 10 and more defensive responsibilities for the wingers, we still believe Slot's formation is closer to the 4-3-3 at the moment but is evolving slowly. A lot will depend on Mo Salah's role as in a 4-2-3-1, there will be a larger defensive responsibility on the Egyptian.

Despite the promising start , Slot's system is still evolving, and the players are adapting to the new tactical demands. The shift in midfield roles highlights Slot's intention to blend structured defensive stability with enhanced attacking flexibility, aiming to optimize Liverpool's performance across different facets of the game.