Graeme Souness believes Liverpool supporters ‘worst fears have been realised’ with Erling Haaland tearing the Premier League apart in the sky blue of Manchester City, speaking to talkSPORT (3 October, 11.40am).
Remember when Man City beat Liverpool to the Premier League title last season despite playing virtually all of 2021/22 without a genuine ‘number nine’ in their ranks.
Well, as it transpires, they are even more fearsome with one than they were without. Haaland’s spectacular arrival on English soil, coupled with Liverpool’s sluggish start to the new campaign, has turned the gap between the two north west neighbours into something more closely resembling a chasm.
After just eight games, City have already accumulated double Liverpool’s own points tally (20 to 10). Haaland, meanwhile, has scored almost as many goals all on his own (14) as Klopp’s entire team have managed between them.
Manchester City striker Erling Haaland is ‘the real deal’
“If youre a Liverpool supporter, I think your worst fears have been realised,” says Anfield legend Souness. “Haaland is everything they say he is.
“There was a risk, as there always is, about a player coming to our football who hadn’t played in it before. But I think our worst fears are being realised. He is the real deal. So I think everybody is playing for second place unless City go through the most horrendous injury run.
“Everyone’s playing for second place.”
Haaland scored his third hat-trick in just five Premier League games on Sunday; a half-hour treble in a 6-3 victory over Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United. On current form, he will comfortably surpass Mo Salah’s Golden Boot-winning tally of 23 top-flight goals sooner rather than later. Perhaps, as early as the Qatar World Cup in less than two months’ time.
City, however, are still just second in the Premier League table. In-form Arsenal remain in top spot for now; outclassing North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur at the Emirates Stadium.
Liverpool, meanwhile, are ninth, behind Newcastle United and Fulham.
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