KEIR RADNEDGE REPORTING —- The FA Community Shield, launching the new top-tier England campaign, is more significant than most in the event’s 117 years. Usually it is a first opportunity for last season’s successful squads to shake the pre-season rust out of their limbs and provide their fans with a first trophy – or near miss – to cheer.

Crystal Palace’s mere presence is something to celebrate. Oliver Glasner’s FA Cup-winning Eagles have never shared this stage before. Liverpool, however, have much more to bring to the party. Wembley will offer a first official sight of the real potential of Arne Slot’s management.

Last season Slot’s tactical and stylistic adjustments drew a further season of domestic success out of the squad bequeathed by Jurgen Klopp. Many more attacking options have been created by the summer signings of Florian Wirtz and Hugo Etikite plus the exciting emergence of 17-year-old left winger Rio Ngumoha.

Wirtz can bring the sort of flair, intelligence and creative spark which the Reds have lacked since Philippe Coutinho’s departure seven years ago. Pre-season sightings suggest he will operate an advanced midfield role, potentially as a No10 behind Cody Gakpo or Etikite. His vision, close control, and ability to exploit tight spaces should be a direct threat to Palace’s low block.

The arrival of Wirtz for a British record £116m affects more than Liverpool’s attack. Slot may need several matches to work out the most effective support from midfield. Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai were a title-winning trio last season. On Sunday Slot’s options may be complicated by Mac Allister’s lack of fitness after injury and the fact that Gravenberch will miss the opening Premier match against Bournemouth through suspension.

Wirtz is positive after playing in a stronger line-up for the second of this week’s two friendly victories over Athletic Bilbao. He said: “I am a player who needs freedom on the pitch and the manager gives it to me. Of course I have to respect the position and the players around me but I try to give my best on the pitch and find the right places. I have the freedom for this.

“I came to Liverpool because I thought I could fit in this team straight away. Every time it is getting a little bit better. I am looking forward to playing in the Premier League which is why I came. There will be some differences to the Bundesliga. They tell me it’s more intense and more physical, every player is really strong, really fast. That is also something I can learn and which can make me better.”

Good news for Slot can also be good news for Julian Nagelsmann.

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