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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Sean Bradbury & Tom Cavilla

Liverpool debate - Erling Haaland changes everything but Jurgen Klopp has already responded

Manchester City have got their man and sealed a £51.2m deal to sign Erling Haaland from Borussia Dortmund.

The striker will check in on 1st July, as a statement from the club said: "We can confirm that we have reached an agreement in principle for the transfer of striker Erling Haaland. The transfer remains subject to the club finalising terms with the player."

Pep Guardiola's side activated the release clause in his contract and the 21-year-old has already passed his medical. But how worried should Liverpool - and the rest of the top flight - be by the latest addition to City's ranks?

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Our writers Tom Cavilla and Sean Bradbury have their say on Haaland...

'Too early to say City will be untouchable'

Tom: So, it seems Manchester City really do mean business next season.

There’s no escaping the fact that Erling Haaland is a statement signing from the Sky Blues but, as has been the case on a number of occasions in the past, big names don’t always guarantee success.

City’s £100million, record-breaking deal for Jack Grealish has hardly transformed the team despite many tipping the England international to take his game to the next level in a side full of world-class stars.

Elsewhere, Paul Pogba was viewed as a game-changing acquisition for Manchester United in the summer of 2016 as the Frenchman returned to Old Trafford. To say the £89million the Red Devils spent to secure his services has gone to waste would be an understatement. The same could also be said for the signings of Romelu Lukaku and Timo Werner at Chelsea.

Haaland is clearly a talented forward with plenty of potential, but Liverpool have continued to keep pace with City regardless of arrivals at the Etihad.

Pep Guardiola’s side have been lacking a ruthless edge in front of goal this campaign, which the Norwegian may well provide, but it is too early to suggest the current league leaders will be untouchable in the top flight. Liverpool have their own business to take care of and will maintain the belief that City can be challenged again next year.

'Haaland deal puts more focus on Liverpool contract talks'

Sean: Several factors may take the edge off Man City's £51m swoop for Erling Haaland.

Liverpool currently have a fearsome five up front who can match - or even outgun - any attack in the world. Luis Diaz will only get better next season after a hugely promising start.

It could take Haaland a while to adapt to the physicality of the Premier League as well as the Pep Guardiola system.

And the Reds are guaranteed at least four more years of Jurgen Klopp after he recently signed a new contract.

But as the boss himself just said, the Haaland deal will "set new levels" in the transfer market and send City to new heights.

Guardiola made his intentions clear last year with interest in Harry Kane. Now he has secured a much younger striker for half the apparent price tag of the Spurs star.

Haaland and City have a full summer to acquaint themselves. That does not bode well for the rest of the Premier League in 2022/23.

With the early move for Diaz and the six-month headstart he gets on Haaland, Liverpool already have part of a potential 'response' to City's purchase in place.

But the arrival of the Norwegian makes contract concerns over Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino even more pressing.

Klopp has usually found a way to ensure the Reds keep pace with City despite their resource advantage. Now that Guardiola has 'bought goals' in the best way possible and landed one of Europe's top attacking talents, the challenge is even greater for Liverpool.

What is your take on Haaland to City? Let us know in the comments below...

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