Liverpool cannot focus only on stopping Erling Haaland – Jurgen Klopp

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp admits he cannot focus heavily on in-form striker Erling Haaland as Manchester City have too many threats elsewhere.

The Norway international has scored 20 times this season, including 15 Premier League goals, and will pose a major threat when the two sides meet at Anfield on Sunday.

Liverpool kept Haaland at bay in the FA Community Shield before the campaign kicked off but, having got into his stride, the 22-year-old is now a different prospect, already averaging a goal every 52 minutes in all competitions.

“Like always when you play against the best striker in the world, you have to make sure he doesn’t get that many balls,” said Klopp.

“That is what you have to defend before you come into the challenge with him so that is what we will try.

“But against City the problem is if you close Haaland down with too many players then you open up gaps for all the other world-class players so that will not make life easier.

“It’s a challenge, a football problem but we try and find solutions.”

Liverpool have faced Haaland on two other occasions prior to this season when they came up against Red Bull Salzburg twice in the Champions League in 2019.

But even against a then raw 19-year-old they could not stop him scoring.

“When he was very young you could see the potential. It was insane,” he added.

“I don’t think he started against us in the home game, he was injured and came on but we were already pretty busy with thinking about him and how can we shut him down. He scored anyway.

“Physically he sets new standards, the combination of being really physical and technical, his orientation on the pitch is exceptional – he knows always where the decisive gaps are and is barely offside – so many things for