It has been revealed that Erling Haaland rejected the opportunity to join Liverpool this past summer.
The player’s father, Alfe, has revealed via The Telegraph – as covered by HITC Sport – that the Reds were among the clubs on the Manchester City’s striker shortlist of potential destinations during the transfer window.
In the end, Haaland wound up joining Pep Guardiola – and what a decision that is proving.
Since moving to the Etihad, the Norway international has netted a staggering 14 goals in nine Premier League and Champions League outings since fluffing an open goal against Liverpool in the Community Shield defeat.
With Jurgen Klopp signing Darwin Nunez in a club-record £85 million transfer, the Uruguay international v Haaland this season was billed as a fascinating subplot and although Micah Richards is convinced there’s much more to come from the South American, he is staggered by the numbers that the towering marksman is putting up thus far.
He told The Daily Mail: “Fifteen goals in 12 matches for club and country so far is ridiculous. I expected his tally at this stage to be eight or nine so I actually can’t believe what I’m seeing.
“People tried to make a battle between Haaland and Darwin Nunez but I don’t think that was ever realistic. Nunez — who is much better than he has shown so far, believe me — needs time at Liverpool but Haaland is going places quicker than any of us could have imagined.”
It remains to be seen if Haaland was certainly Liverpool’s first pick, even ahead of Nunez.
But seeing as the young marksman considered joining them, it’s safe to say an offer of some description was made.
Nunez has only netted twice for the Reds in competitive outings and Richards is definitely right in saying that he’ll certainly get better.
And although he might never become as talismanic as Haaland in this country, it’s looking like literally nobody will at the moment.
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