Now that Alexander Isak has signed for Liverpool, it is inevitable that fans and pundits alike will debate whether he is superior, inferior or at the same level as Erling Haaland as a striker.
Pep Guardiola admitted Isak caught Manchester City’s eye when he was at Real Sociedad and since his move to the Premier League, he has become one of the English game’s finest players.
However, Erling Haaland already has a case for being a Premier League legend — setting the all-time record of 36 goals in his debut season, winning two titles, the treble and scoring 88 goals in 100 appearances for City.
Virgil van Dijk praised Isak and Haaland as two players who are difficult to play against, which is high praise from arguably the best centre-back in the world.
Erling Haaland celebrates his goal during Wolverhampton Wanderers v Manchester City.
Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images
Rio Ferdinand believes Erling Haaland is better than Alexander Isak
While a title race is defined by a multitude of factors, Haaland and Alexander Isak will have to be firing on all cylinders this season for Manchester City and Liverpool respectively to give their sides the best chance of coming out on top.
Despite the Swedish number nine’s heroics for Newcastle United over the past few years, Jamie Carragher believes Haaland is better than Isak.
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On his YouTube channel, Rio Ferdinand also named Haaland as the best centre-forward in the Premier League over Isak, as he said: “We’ve seen Isak muscle his way out of Newcastle, he gets the deal done, a massive transfer fee, Liverpool have had one of the best arguably transfer windows we’ve seen in the Premier League era.”
“They’ve gone and got the best striker, well, the second best striker after Haaland in the Premier League.”
Why Man City did not sign Alexander Isak over Liverpool
Ultimately, only time will tell whether Rio Ferdinand is proven right or if Isak outscores Haaland once he dons the Liverpool shirt on the pitch.
Manchester City chose not to sign Isak this summer for three reasons.
Haaland’s contract extension until 2034 further cementing his status as Manchester City’s starting striker
The signing of Omar Marmoush in January
Pep Guardiola’s desire to reduce Manchester City’s squad size
Whether Isak would even have fancied a potential move to the Etihad Stadium due to Haaland’s presence remains questionable.
With defenders like Abdukodir Khusanov keeping Isak quiet, the contest between Manchester City and Liverpool in November could be a clash for the ages.