Liverpool

Liverpool

Premier League • England

Jurgen Klopp bizarrely implored to sign striker this summer after £51m Erling Haaland transfer

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has been implored to sign a striker after Manchester City agreed a deal for prolific hitman Erling Haaland.

Liverpool’s title rivals announced they had agreed a transfer in principle for Borussia Dortmund star Haaland for £51m. Sky Sports report that the overall cost of the deal will top £85m in total when agent fees, Haaland’s signing on bonus and other costs are considered.

City will also have to pay Haaland’s wages, with the Norway striker expected to get around £400,000 a week.

But while City were announcing the deal, Liverpool were preparing to face Aston Villa at Villa Park.

The Reds managed a crucial 2-1 win, but had to suffer after going behind after just three minutes.

And former Villan Gabby Agbonlahor says Klopp must sign a striker this summer with Haaland on his way to the Premier League.,

“I don’t want to hear that it going to cost this with wages and agents’ fees, because a lot of transfers the fees are crazy,” Agbonlahor told talkSPORT.

“It is costing Manchester City £51m and that is a bargain. The best striker in the world. He can help the team get up the pitch.

“He can hold the ball up and he’s one of those strikers who can chest it down mid-air and you still can’t get the ball off him. Left foot, right foot, he can outpace you, he has everything. He will score tap-ins from De Bruyne’s crosses. He will score screamers, he will attract two and three defenders to stop him.

“That will leave Mahrez, Foden, Grealish, De Bruyne one versus one, which is what they want.

“It’s an incredible signing and Liverpool have to act. Liverpool have to sign a striker because last night Liverpool struggled. Villa were very good defensively and Liverpool have to sign a striker.”

The pundit’s plea is likely to fall of deaf ears at Anfield. Klopp made it clear after Tuesday’s win that he and his charges were not focused on what their rivals do.

Klopp solely focused on Liverpool 

Klopp said: “We don’t waste energy thinking hopefully they (Man City) lose.”

 

To put Liverpool’s situation into context, the win at Villa was their 59th game of the season. And it that time they remain on course for a remarkable four trophies.

The EFL Cup is already in the bank, while the FA Cup final will take place against Chelsea on Sunday.

The Reds are also in the final against Real Madrid in the Champions League final. And they are level on points with Man City, who have a game in hand, while the Reds have just two matches remaining.

Klopp’s forward line has also blasted well over 100 goals, including 89 in the Premier League. So it’s unlikely Klopp will be panicking about signing a striker just because their rivals have done so.

READ MORE: Jurgen Klopp honest over ‘real beast’ Erling Haaland; Carragher has words of caution