Liverpool vs Man City: Jurgen Klopp hails Erling Haaland as ‘the best striker in the world’

Jurgen Klopp believes Erling Haaland is ‘the best striker in the world’ and has revealed how he will try and nullify Man City’s goal-scoring machine at Anfield this Sunday.

Haaland has got off to a lightning start to life in the Premier League, netting an incredible 15 goals in nine appearances for City, which includes three successive hat-tricks at the Etihad.

The 22-year-old has also notched five goals in three Champions League games, taking his total to 20 goals in all competitions and making him a defender’s nightmare in the process.

Jurgen Klopp (right) believes Man City’s Erling Haaland (left) is ‘the best striker in the world’

Liverpool did manage to keep him at bay in his first-ever appearance for City, which saw the Reds win the Community Shield after Haaland had an off day in front of goal.

But with Haaland decimating almost any defence that has been put in front of him since, Klopp is having to rethink his plans in order to stop who he believes is the best in his position currently. 

‘He is probably best striker in the world so we have to make sure he doesn’t get many balls,’ Klopp said in his Friday press conference. 

Haaland’s scored 15 goals in nine league games, including three successive Etihad hat-tricks

Haaland also scored a hat-trick in a thumping 6-3 win over City’s rivals Manchester United

‘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. It doesn’t make life easier.’

Klopp was asked about when he first took notice of Haaland, with the German responding how the striker scored past them in the Champions League while at Red Bull Salzburg. 

‘Salzburg, we played them,’ Klopp added. ‘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!’

Haaland had a rare off day when he played against Liverpool in City’s Community Shield defeat

‘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 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.’ 

While Pep Guardiola will almost certainly deploy Haaland against an out-of-form Virgil van Dijk at Anfield this Sunday, Klopp will look to fight fire with fire. 

In midweek, Liverpool tore apart Rangers in their Champions League encounter, with Mohamed Salah coming off the bench to score a sublime six-minute hat-trick to help beat the Scottish side an emphatic 7-1. 

Mohamed Salah scored the fastest-ever Champions League hat-trick in just six minutes of play

Klopp revealed the Egyptian could be played up front after his stunning display vs Rangers

Salah was played up front in the centre and Klopp has revealed that the Egyptian could be played there again at the weekend.

‘He can play the position no doubt about that, but he can play wide position as well,’ Klopp added.

‘When he scored goals he was central, that makes sense. Whichever system we play, for finishing you need to be in and around the box.’

When talking about Salah’s hat-trick, Klopp said: ‘Pretty sure he learned from the first game against Rangers. The goalie reacted well as he knew pretty well when we finish, but Mo surprised him. First goal cheeky. Second goal was very special. Third one brilliant.’