Premier League English

Manchester City confirm Haaland deal while Liverpool maintain pace in title race

Liverpool are obviously only too well aware of the intense pressure brought to bear on them in battling with Manchester City in the taut Premier League title race. With the nerves jangling at pitch-fever high, Jurgen Klopp’s side survived a huge scare on Tuesday night to come from a goal down to finally outmanoeuvre Aston Villa 2-1.

The brilliantly-fought, hard-earned victory moved the Reds level on points with league leaders City, coming on the same day the latter coolly announced that they “have reached an agreement in principle for the transfer of striker Erling Haaland.”

The harsh, cold reality of seeing their rivals secure the sizzling skills and service of arguably the hottest property in European football today would no doubt be a sobering reality call for Liverpool. The 21-year-old Norwegian prodigy, who has scored 85 goals in 88 appearances for Dortmund, will clearly add increased potency and young firepower to City’s already much-feared front line.

Regardless, Liverpool are certain to be doing all they can and will to ensure the title race will go right down to the wire, when push comes to shove.

Klopp’s men were given a rude shock only three minutes into the Villa tie when Douglas Luiz rifled home from a goal-mouth scramble. Villa were extravagant as they wasted numerous chances thereafter to extend their lead and sealed the game in their favor but in truth Liverpool displayed remarkable resilience and chutzpah to stage a gritty fightback through brilliant goals from Joel Matip and Sadio Mane.

“It’s about digging in, keeping going and finding a way to win,” observed Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson.

City are still having an advantage on goal difference and the Reds’ victory over Villa ensures the title suspense will continue until the final week of the season.

“We cannot do more than win,” Klopp said. “A lot of people thought this could be a banana skin, that it could be a struggle for us, and how the boys sorted that was absolutely outstanding.”

Mane was singled out by the Liverpool manager for special praise as his performance was highly commendable with the Senegalese striker’s match winner in the 65th minute being his 22nd goal for the club in all competitions this campaign.

“He’s a machine, I told him after the game. He is a massive player. His physicality is brutal. He is a mix of technique, desire and physicality when at the moment everyone has a few yards in the legs,” beamed Klopp. “You can see it with him to be honest. He is just a fantastic world-class player.”

In the post-match conference, the subject of discussion somehow meandered across to Haaland and the question was put to the Liverpool boss on how much the addition of Haaland will strengthen City following his transfer, Klopp could only proffer a reply with a wry smile.

“I think Erling will certainly score a lot of goals. He is a real beast,” he said. “He was injured a couple of times at Dortmund but when he is fit he is a real beast. Unfortunately, he is a really good signing.”

“But City was and will never be a team that wins games because of one player, because of the way, the specific way, they play,” Klopp added.