5 decisions for Arne Slot to make in Asia pre-season tour including new Dominik Szoboszlai role

Liverpool has landed in Asia ahead of a 10-day pre-season tour in which it will take on AC Milan in Hong Kong and then Yokohama Marinos in Japan.

But while the Reds are away, this will be anything but a vacation for Arne Slot and his players. The hard work will continue to take place behind the scenes ahead of the Premier League resuming in the middle of next month — and there are some big questions that still need answering.

Work is ongoing regarding transfers — and some of those involved here, like Darwin Nunez and Harvey Elliott, might have moved on by the time they return to England — but there will be plenty to do on the training field too.

Here, Liverpool.com has taken a look at the key things for Slot to sort out before he and his staff land back on Merseyside. By that point, the new campaign will be just around the corner.

How will Florian Wirtz fit in?

Clearly, Liverpool would not have committed to spending as much as $156 million (£116 million) on Florian Wirtz without a plan of how he would be used. But with the Stoke friendly having been behind closed doors, AC Milan at the weekend will be the first proper chance for Reds fans to see him in action.

Wirtz can play as a false nine, but he is more naturally a number 10. Against Milan and then Yokohama, we should gain a better understanding of what Slot wants to do with Liverpool's record signing.

Whatever it is, it is going to be hugely exciting. Mohamed Salah is going to love playing alongside the German, as are the rest of the Liverpool attackers. Wirtz can play multiple positions, but is arguably best when let loose and given more of a free role.

What happens to Dominik Szoboszlai?

As a result of Wirtz coming in, the positioning of Dominik Szoboszlai might change a little. (He played at right-back against Stoke, but that won't be a regular occurrence).

Szoboszlai was the main number 10 last season and could do that again should Wirtz play further forward. In the case of Wirtz taking his spot, though, that would be good news for several others.

The Hungarian can play just as well as a number eight (and Slot won't want to lose his energy and ability to relentlessly press). Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch would benefit from having a bit more rotation to save their legs, too.

It is extremely unlikely that Szoboszlai's role will diminish that much this year considering how much he was relied on last term. The question, really, is what that looks like in terms of the specifics.

Which full-backs will start the season in the team?

The most likely scenario is perhaps that it will be Milos Kerkez and Conor Bradley in the starting XI when the first team sheet of the new Premier League season drops ahead of Bournemouth.

But Andy Robertson, Kostas Tsimikas and Jeremie Frimpong will also have a say. Robertson's role is likely to reduce this season while Trent Alexander-Arnold — clearly irreplaceable in terms of style — is no longer at Anfield.

Wirtz will provide more creativity to compensate, but Bradley and Frimpong will also have a big role to play. Full-back depth looks a real strength for the Reds are the moment, though another center-back is a must.

What about the number nine?

It appears that Hugo Ekitike will be signing for Liverpool, while Nunez, as mentioned, is also still at Anfield as things stand. So how will Slot's forward line look come the start of next season?

Salah, obviously, will be there. Wirtz, even if it as an advanced midfielder, will be a crucial part of it too. But there are question marks surrounding Nunez and Luis Diaz. Cody Gakpo was linked with a departure a few weeks ago, while Federico Chiesa could go, but would not really need to be replaced.

About half of the forward line, then, seems obvious at this point. If Ekitike passes his medical and joins up with the team in Asia, we might get a bit more of a clue of the next portion.

How much of an impact can Trey Nyoni and Rio Ngumoha make this year?

Slot has not really been minded to use many young players, while others have been unfortunate. Jayden Danns, for instance, has a minor injury that has stopped him from being with the team, and James McConnell could go out on loan.

On the tour, though, are Trey Nyoni and Rio Ngumoha, who both starred in the first friendly of the summer against Preston North End. And both could get more senior minutes this season, building on the last.

Nyoni is a prodigious talent in the center of the field, elegant and poised in possession. He should get chances in the domestic cups, while continuing to train with the senior players.

Ngumoha, meanwhile, is even more of a standout to most, mainly because he plays as a winger and loves a stepover. There is work for both to do to smooth out the rawness in their game — but both are worth watching in Asia and look primed for minutes.