Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp backs ‘real beast’ Erling Haaland to make Man City ‘a lot’ stronger

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has hailed Erling Haaland as a ‘real beast’ and has admitted he expects the Norwegian to make title rivals Manchester City much stronger next season.

City announced on Tuesday the 21-year-old Norway international will join Pep Guardiola’s squad ahead of the 2022-23 campaign following a £51million transfer from Borussia Dortmund.

German boss Klopp has described Haaland as a ‘force of nature’ in the past and even saw him score past his side in Liverpool’s 4-3 victory against Red Bull Salzburg in a Champions League group game at Anfield in 2019.

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp (left) has hailed Erling Haaland as a ‘real beast’ after sealing his move to title rivals Manchester City

The 21-year-old Norway striker will join Pep Guardiola’s squad ahead of the 2022-23 campaign

But Klopp will now have to see the striker line-up for Liverpool’s Premier League title rivals in recent seasons, and admitted he is a ‘really good signing’ who will score plenty of goals at the back post. 

When asked – after seeing his side beat Aston Villa – if Haaland’s arrival at the Etihad Stadium would make City stronger, the Reds boss replied: ‘A lot. Good player. City was never and will never be a team that wins because of one player.

‘They have a specific way to play, and I think Erling will all of a sudden realise that he will score a lot of goals at the second post where he just puts his foot on it. He will love that. He is a real beast.

‘He was injured a couple of times at Dortmund but when he’s fit he’s a real beast. Unfortunately, he is a really good signing.’

Klopp saw Haaland score against his Liverpool side for Red Bull Salzburg in October 2019

Haaland has attracted interest from around Europe after netting 85 times in 88 appearances for Dortmund during two-and-a-half years there.

The current top-flight leaders beat Real Madrid to the striker’s signature, and he had also been linked with Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester United in recent months.

Haaland will be City’s first genuine No 9 since club record goalscorer Sergio Aguero but Reds icon Jamie Carragher believes his signing could upset the balance of their team.

He told Sky Sports: ‘Brilliant signing, it really is. Not just for Man City, but for the Premier League. I think we’re all intrigued to see how he’ll do. Him and (PSG’s Kylian) Mbappe feel like the next two superstars who are going to eclipse [Lionel] Messi and [Cristiano] Ronaldo and you’re just delighted that he’s at the Premier League. 

Liverpool icon Jamie Carragher believes his signing could upset the balance of City’s team

‘More often than not, those type of players have gone to maybe a Barcelona or a Real Madrid, but I feel like now that the Premier League is the strongest league. You’ve seen how well we’ll done in the Champions League.

‘He’ll score goals, that’s what he’s been bought to do, but it doesn’t guarantee that City will win everything. You still have to integrate him into the team. That means City will lose another creative player that helps them keep the ball more or have more control in games.’

But former Liverpool midfielder Jamie Redknapp revelled in the fact the Premier League will finally see a ‘global star everyone’s coveted’ once again.

Jamie Redknapp revelled in the fact the Premier League will finally see a ‘global star everyone’s coveted’

He said: ‘It’s a game changer not just for Man City but for the league. It’s the first time in a long time we’ve got that global superstar everyone’s coveted. It’s super exciting for everyone concerned. It’s gonna be great to have him in our league.’

After Liverpool’s 2-1 victory at Villa Park, Redknapp added: ‘I can’t wait to see Haaland, he’s a world superstar and such a young man, he’s got such a brilliant future. 

‘He’s so lucky to work with Pep, working with a great manager and with players who have a brilliant mentality.’