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Erling Haaland said Liverpool doesn’t “have many weaknesses” ahead of Sunday’s blockbuster showdown against Manchester City, with the striker claiming the Reds remain among the favourites to clinch the Premier League title this season.
After two wins over Aston Villa and Real Madrid, Liverpool’s trip to the Etihad will be the real marker of whether the campaign is back on track after that run of six losses in seven matches.
Jurgen Klopp typically struggled in East Manchester and failed to win a Premier League match at City during his tenure – but Arne Slot did manage to earn all three points in Liverpool’s last visit.
This time around, the Dutchman’s side is still a work in progress after a high turnover of players in the summer. That was referenced by Haaland ahead of the game when assessing Liverpool’s title credentials, as he pointed to the Reds' spending in the transfer market.
“I think they are a really solid team,” the former Borussia Dortmund man told City’s club website. “They are Premier League champions, so they are a fantastic team and they have got so many good players.
“I don’t think they have many weaknesses,” he continued. “They’ve had their struggles here and there. They are such a good and complete side and that makes them one of the favourites to win the Premier League again.
“They are the champions, they are playing with the gold badge on their sleeve, so it’s going to be a difficult game. They spent a lot of money in the summer so what can you say? I don’t think they have many weaknesses.”
It’s difficult to judge the meaning behind Haaland’s remarks on Liverpool’s spending.
Transfer business has often been a sore point at City, with the club feeling its success has at times been unfairly attributed to the expensive recruitment drive that accompanied the first decade following the club’s Abu Dhabi takeover.
But in assessing his own form, Haaland’s words were more transparent. With 18 goals from 14 matches this season, the forward could be on course to break some of his own lofty records by the end of the campaign.
And City’s no.9 warned Liverpool that he might be in the best form of his career.
“I feel this is the best version of myself,” said Haaland. I’ve never felt better than now.
“To keep sharp, I keep my mind in the right place, recover well, do the right things at home, eat the right things, connect when I have to on the pitch and when I am at home, relax as much as possible to stay balanced and in the zone.”
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