'A little bit above' - Pep Guardiola issues clear Erling Haaland response to bold Liverpool claim

• Sport
• Football
• Manchester City FC

Alexander Isak could make his Liverpool debut this weekend and it could start a battle between the Swede and Manchester City striker Erling Haaland.

Erling Haaland has scored three goals in three games at the start of the Premier League season

Pep Guardiola insists he wouldn't swap Erling Haaland for anyone and believes the Norwegian is a better striker than Alexander Isak as the £125million man prepares for his Liverpool debut.

Isak completed his controversial move to Anfield from Newcastle on deadline day and could play against Burnley this week with praise ringing in his ears from Liverpool boss Arne Slot, who labelled him "maybe the best striker in the world."

The 25-year-old might not even be the best striker in Scandinavia, with Haaland's record-breaking haul of 88 goals in 100 Premier League appearances putting him top of the tree.

The battle for goalscoring supremacy between the Swede and the Norwegian will be an interesting subplot to this Premier League season, but Guardiola is backing his own man to come out on top.

When Slot's claim about Isak's status was put to him, he said Haaland was "a little bit above" Liverpool's new No. 9.

"Listen, it's the same way I answered before, Isak is an exceptional player," said Guardiola. "You asked me what Erling is as a striker, so he's top. But of course, he must be a top player, Isak, because of what they paid, so it's obvious.

"Another one would say Mbappé, and another one would say Messi, another one would say Cristiano, that's fine. That's why it's a game of opinions, and everybody can have his rights, so I'm not saying that this.

"What I'm saying is that I will not change Erling for anyone, because I know him."

---

Here at the Manchester Evening News, we’re dedicated to bringing you the best Manchester City coverage and analysis.

Make sure you don’t miss out on the latest City news by joining our free WhatsApp group. You can get all the breaking news and best analysis sent straight to your phone by clicking here to subscribe.

You can also subscribe to our free newsletter service. Click here to be sent all the day’s biggest stories.

And finally, if you’d rather listen to our expert analysis then make sure to check out our Talking City podcast. Our shows are available on all podcast platforms, including Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and you can also watch along on YouTube.