Who will start for Liverpool against Ipswich Town?

Arne Slot is less than two weeks away from having to pick his first starting XI for a Premier League game.

Photo: IMAGO | Anfield Index

Incredibly, there are less than two weeks to go until Liverpool contest their first game of the new Premier League season, travelling to Ipswich for a dreaded 12.30pm kick-off.

As such, we are edging closer to Arne Slot's first real team selection since succeeding Jurgen Klopp as head coach.

Of course, with a friendly against Sevilla to come this weekend, a far clearer picture of who will be in that line-up at Portman Road is set to emerge.

But predicting a starting XI with that information in hand feels like cheating - and so here's an attempt to do so before the final run-out of pre-season.

Check out the reasoning for each inclusion below and make sure to leave your team in the comments!

Defence

Alisson Becker

As good as Caoimhin Kelleher has been in pre-season, you simply cannot leave the best goalkeeper in the world out of your team. Alisson returned to training on Monday and so there is no doubt that he will be ready to come in for this one.

Trent Alexander-Arnold

Similarly, Conor Bradley has done a stellar job this summer at right-back, but Trent Alexander-Arnold is too good to leave on the bench. It will be fascinating to see what the 25-year-old can bring to the table in the new manager's system, and he will surely get the chance to starting showing that against Ipswich.

Jarell Quansah

The battle between Jarell Quansah and Ibrahima Konate for a starting spot in defence looks set to be one of the more intriguing storylines of the coming season, but there is no question who should get the nod for this one. Quansah not only looks a great fit for a possession-based style of football but has had a full pre-season to adapt to Slot's demands, unlike his competitors for this position.

Virgil van Dijk

Quansah's centre-back partner is slightly easier to pick, of course, with Virgil van Dijk certain to get the nod as Liverpool's best defender and captain.

Kostas Tsimikas

Andy Robertson was expected to be fully fit following the completion of Liverpool's tour and could well feature against Sevilla as a result. However, Kostas Tsimikas has looked in decent shape in the Scot's absence and, with a number of changes at the back likely, he could bring some much-needed continuity.

Midfield

Alexis Mac Allister

For all that he has missed the majority of Liverpool's preparations for the new campaign, Alexis Mac Allister just looks too good a fit for Slot's system and style of play not to get the nod here. He is renowned at the AXA Training Centre for his footballing intelligence and so, with that in mind, two weeks will surely be enough for him to learn his role in the team.

Dominik Szoboszlai

Should Mac Allister start, then that would leave Slot with a tough choice between Curtis Jones and Dominik Szoboszlai for the last spot in the double pivot. The greater attacking thrust offered by Szoboszlai might just get him the nod, though this is an incredibly marginal call.

Harvey Elliott

If the other midfield picks are tricky, then this one surely isn't. Harvey Elliott picked up where he left off last season in starring for Liverpool during their stay in the United States and his mix of creativity and workrate are sure to see him in from the off here.

Attack

Mohamed Salah

Another standout performer in the States, Mohamed Salah's starting position is arguably more certain than any other player in the squad. He is sure to be Liverpool's primary source of goals yet again this season and will hope to grab the first of many against Ipswich.

Diogo Jota

Liverpool are hoping that Slot will be able to help Darwin Nunez finally fulfil his vast potential at Anfield but, with the Uruguayan having reported late this summer, centre-forward seems a straightforward pick at Portman Road. Diogo Jota looked sharp during pre-season and there are no question marks over his quality when he is injury free.

Cody Gakpo

Although Fabio Carvalho enjoyed a promising run on the left-hand side in the US, he will be allowed to leave before the window closes should an acceptable bid arrive. As such, the battle to claim this particular starting spot looks like a straight shooutout between Luis Diaz and Cody Gakpo. The latter's greater goal threat might just see him claim the shirt.

Line-up

Predicted Liverpool XI vs Ipswich: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Quansah, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Elliott, Szoboszlai, Mac Allister; Salah, Jota, Gakpo.