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Jamie Carragher has maintained that Liverpool will not "run away" with the title race even if it secures Alexander Isak's signature. However, the Reds legend believes Florian Wirtz already appears a "special player" capable of replacing Kevin De Bruyne as the Premier League's biggest star.
Arne Slot claimed the title by 10 points in his debut campaign and the Anfield outfit have subsequently invested almost $400 million in squad reinforcement. Liverpool has also tabled a $148 million offer for Sweden striker Isak - and may well return for the Newcastle ace before the window closes.
Sky Sports pundit Carragher commented: "I think Liverpool is still likely to get Isak but I don't get this narrative that Liverpool is going to run away with it.
"I think we will have a title race. If you look at history, it tells you that it's not just about having the best players, it's about having the best team, and making that balance right, and at the weekend (the Community Shield) it didn't quite look right.
"I think the great thing about football is what we actually saw on Sunday with Liverpool. It didn't look right. They probably should have lost the game in normal time when I watched it. It tells me it's not just about spending lots of money and buying the best players, you've still got to manage that team and make it work and have a nice balance to it."
Arsenal, Manchester City, Chelsea and Manchester United have all splashed significant cash this summer but Carragher reckons the deal for Germany playmaker Wirtz could prove the shrewdest piece of business. "Even in pre-season, he just looks class," the former England defender remarked.
"He just looks like a special footballer. There were glimpses in the Community Shield as well - he's linked up with Salah already, and he's a good attacking player.
"He's a Liverpool player, but I think it feels like one of those players, when someone comes to the Premier League, it feels like a star has come to the Premier League, and I think it's going to be a great addition.
"You think of losing Kevin De Bruyne, for me, one of the greatest players we've ever had in the league, and hopefully this guy can take his mantle."
Gary Neville chimed in: "I will be intrigued by the players that the top clubs have signed, (Victor) Gyokeres, (Benjamin) Sesko, (Rory) Delap at Chelsea. I think those players that are in big positions, which of those are going to step up and become real?
"None of them at the moment, you'd say, are world -class and deemed to be the best in the world, but which of those can become those players? And I think that's the intriguing thing about this season, which of those are going to really catch fire?".
"Liverpool won it really comfortably last year and has had a great transfer window," Neville stated. "And if they get Isak, which it looks like he's agitating for a move, then it will make them massive favourites. But City, Arsenal, Chelsea, I think will push them closer than last year."
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