Ahead of Sunday’s match at Anfield against Manchester City, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp acknowledged that Erling Haaland is the “best striker in the world.”
Haaland has dominated the Champions League and the Premier League, tallying 20 goals for the season after scoring an astounding 15 goals in his first nine appearances.
The Norwegian should be in top physical shape when the defending Premier League champions travel to Merseyside to face Liverpool because he rested during City’s 0-0 draw with Copenhagen in midweek.
The Reds, on the other hand, have had a difficult start to the season due to a variety of injury issues and poor defending. Only two of Liverpool’s eight Premier League games have ended in victories, and the club currently trails City by 13 points, which prompted Klopp to declare the team out of the title race.
While Klopp was well aware of the threat that Haaland poses on Sunday when he sat down to talk to the media, Liverpool found some form on Wednesday night during the 7-1 demolition of Rangers.
“Probably best striker in the world so we have to make sure he doesn’t get many balls,” the German said when asked how his side would combat the 22-year-old’s threat. “That’s what we will try. Against City if you close Haaland down with too many players you open up gaps for all the other world-class players. Doesn’t make life easier.
“Salzburg, we played them. What is it about him? Even when he was very young you could see the potential. I don’t think he started at Anfield but we were already pretty busy thinking about him and how to close him down. He scored anyway!
“He has the combination of being pretty physical and technical. He knows where the offsides are, reads it well. So many things to make a striker, and at City [he] has some of the best players around him setting up goals. It’s a perfect fit.
“His finishing skills are exceptional but he moves really smart. You can only use speed if you use it in a smart way. His whole package makes it special.”
Liverpool did manage to keep Haaland quiet during their Community Shield clash in July, though both clubs have veered off in entirely different directions after the Reds’ 3-1 win at Wembley.
