Jurgen Klopp reveals Liverpool have the key to stop Manchester City striker Erling Haaland

Jurgen Klopp reveals Liverpool knows how to tame Manchester City striker Erling Haaland

Ahead of Manchester City’s visit to Anfield on Sunday, Jurgen Klopp has told his Liverpool players that they cannot simply concentrate on stopping Erling Haaland because City have too many other “top-level players.”

A win for the Etihad outfit would see them go 16 points ahead of the Reds and all but end the FA Cup champions’ hopes of a Premier League title, while all three points for Liverpool would see the deficit cut to 13 points and with a game in hand on Pep Guardiola’s side.

Haaland has scored 15 goals in nine league games for the Citizens, and Klopp emphasised that his players must do all in their power to keep the Norwegian from getting the ball while also keeping an eye on his City teammates.

“He’s probably the best striker in the world so we have to make sure he doesn’t get many balls. That’s what we will try,” Klopp said (as quoted by Manchester Evening News). “Against City, the problem is 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. It’s a challenge, a football problem and we try to find solutions.”

In the Champions League back in 2019, Haaland scored for RB Salzburg at Anfield, and the Norwegian international will be optimistic about repeating that feat this time around.

Erling Haaland has been in excellent form since joining Man City from Dortmund. (Getty Images)

Since joining the Premier League from Borussia Dortmund in the summer, he has made a strong impression, and Klopp said the 22-year-old is a “perfect fit” for Guardiola’s team.

The German continued: “He has the combination of being pretty physical and technical. He knows where the offsides are, and reads it well. So many things to make a striker, and City has some of the best players around him setting up goals. It’s a perfect fit.

“It’s how he combines many things. His finishing is obviously exceptional but he moves really smart, which makes him quick. You can only use the speed if you use it in a smart way. you need to make sure you’re patient to not be offside. His whole package makes it special.”

Although Klopp has many of his players who have recently displayed remarkable play, Haaland is in excellent form.

While Mo Salah scored a hat-trick against Rangers on Wednesday, Bobby Firmino has 12 goal contributions in as many appearances.

On Sunday, there will be yet another epic battle between the two sides.

In other news, (Video) Watch Bobby Firmino highlights vs Rangers showing simply how they couldn’t handle the Brazilian at Ibrox