Liverpool are just days away from beginning their title defence and predictions are starting to be made.

The Reds romped to the Premier League title last season and this summer, they have done all they can to give them the best chance of winning it back-to-back.

Liverpool have spent close to £300m and their spending has not stopped there either, with at least a few more additions expected to arrive.

Arne Slot explains what 'people forget' about Liverpool transfers with $100M claim - 'Quite rare'	Liverpool supporters have already mind up minds about transfer before Alexander Isak outcome	Inside city centre venue as Liverpool supporters watch Community Shield

Florian Wirtz is the pick of the bunch so far, and despite breaking the British transfer record and costing £116m, the German still looks like an astute buy.

In fact, despite all his plaudits, he still offers more than people perhaps realise, and Micah Richards believes he could be the real difference next season.

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The pressure on Wirtz’s shoulders right now is truly unimaginable, but based on his performances in pre-season, it is clear that he is unfazed.

The 22-year-old arrives with plenty of experience despite being so young and is already one of the best players in the world, hence why the Reds were so keen to bring him to the club.

And, although many have likely rushed to social media to watch highlights and work out just what he will bring to the Premier League, Richards believes people still do not realise just how good a player Liverpool really have.

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“Yeah, I have to go with Liverpool.

Bringing in Wirtz, people don’t realise how good this player is,” Richards said on The Rest is Football podcast when asked who will win the league.

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“He has been good in pre-season as well, I think he is exactly what they needed as well.

Whereas Szobozslai is more of a runner into the box and he can shoot, and he’s good on the ball I suppose, but Wirtz can dictate in tight areas.

“If you watch him around the box it’s one touch, two touch passes, cute passes round the corner, I just think they will be unstoppable at times and if he gets up to speed straight away, I think he has all the tools to unlock all the doors, so I have to say Liverpool will win it.”

Although the Reds dominated the large majority of games last season, teams who deployed a low-block were often their kryptonite, with Liverpool not having too many players who could unlock the defence.

However, as Richards stated, Wirtz has all the keys to unlock all the doors, and he could make a real difference in those types of matches.

He is also just a big-game player and his style of play suits the free-flowing philosophy Arne Slot has instilled, meaning he has everything he needs to hit the ground running.

Combine his ability with the likes of Mohamed Salah, Cody Gakpo and Hugo Ekitike, and Liverpool’s front four really is one that will strike fear into their opponents’ eyes.