The new Reds boss has outlined the challenge facing a player who became an unlikely fan favourite last season.
Despite the absence of Alexis Mac Allister - still celebrating Argentina's Copa America victory - and the lack of any other recognised senior options in the defensive midfield role
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Slot opted not to start with Wataru Endo in the behind-closed-doors friendly defeat against Championship side Preston North End on Friday.
The fixture offered a first opportunity to glimpse and assess what Liverpool might expect under Slot
For Endo to not line up for kick-off was intriguing, Curtis Jones instead operating as the defensive shield as he did on occasion last pre-season
The Japan international didn't have to wait long for action - he replaced Dominik Szoboszlai after 33 minutes
but, if taken at face value, it was an early indicator of what Slot might want from those playing in the deeper midfield role.
That may not necessarily be the job of one person, with Slot having shown at Feyenoord he is slightly more fluid in his engine room configuration than Klopp.
And a double pivot opens up a number of personnel options, both in midfield and attack.
Last season, of course, Liverpool leaned heavily on Trent Alexander-Arnold becoming an inverted right-back, which meant there wasn't much need for two deeper midfielders
Nevertheless, circumstances dictated the Reds weren't able to fully commit to a regular number six
In the Premier League, Endo started 20 games in the position while Mac Allister managed 17, with Joe Gomez filling in for the win at Nottingham Forest in March
While there's little doubt Mac Allister's overall game improved when pushed further forward and having Endo in behind him
the Argentina international grew into the number six role and is a more technical footballer than the Japanese.
That could well be the direction in which Slot wants to go, particularly when there are two players in the central position.
Endo, though, has proven himself more than capable in the Premier League after overcoming a difficult start to his debut Liverpool season
And his comments earlier this summer on the possibility of the Reds recruiting in his position also reflect his readiness to compete for his place regardless of who stands in the way.
Endo
"I think it would be better to get the number six midfielder,"
“If it ultimately makes the team stronger then I'm all for it, because there will be competition and I just have to win my position again."
Liverpool experimented with a number of different formations against Preston
They began after half-time by playing 3-4-2-1 - Endo one of the central midfield duo alongside Tyler Morton -
later switching to a more orthodox 4-3-3 after the Japanese was substituted, with Kaide Gordon moving from left wing-back to his more accustomed right wing role.
Stefan Bajectic caught the eye in a slightly more advanced midfield role than the number six position
Where Slot, and potentially the recruitment team, takes the midfield over the next few weeks will be of the more immediate interest to Liverpool supporters
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