Brentford has become something of a ‘mini-Liverpool’ at the moment, with four former Reds currently playing for the Bees.
It had been projected to a slightly difficult season for all of them, as Brentford deal with the departure of long-term boss Thomas Frank to Tottenham.
Having also lost star striking duo Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa, as well as Christian Norgaard in midfield, the west Londoners sit just above the Premier League relegation zone after seven matches.
On Sunday they faced a resurgent Manchester City. Although Brentford put up an admirable fight, they were ultimately undone by Erling Haaland, who is in frighteningly good form. Haaland finished past former Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher after just nine minutes to record the only goal of the game.
The Irishman may have been disappointed to be beaten at his near post, but it was a good strike from the City star.
Jordan Henderson also played 74 minutes in the Brentford midfield, but speaking after the game, Haaland said it had been the other former Red in the team who had most caught his eye.
Erling Haaland runs at Sepp van den Berg during Manchester City's Premier League match against Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium.
Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images
Erling Haaland praises Sepp van den Berg
It can be easy to forget that Sepp van den Berg was ever a Liverpool player. The centre-back made only four first team appearances across four years at Anfield.
However, with their current dearth of central defensive options, they could perhaps do with Van den Berg at the moment.
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He certainly seems to have Haaland’s seal of approval at least. Although he ultimately ended up winning the battle against him on Sunday, the Norwegian offered some surprising praise for Van den Berg to Mancity.com after the game.
“First five minutes he [Van den Berg] just kept on pushing me so I said alright, let’s have it. So then I started pushing him back,” he said.
“For me this is a proper goal. This goal for me is top. This is for me one of my better goals.
“I think it helps me because I was a bit tired before the game, going into the game I was thinking it’s going to be tough. Then after 10 seconds he started pushing me and it motivates me. All praise to him honestly, he made me want to do that.”
Anfield is the only ground Haaland is yet to score at
Haaland’s comments on Van den Berg were not the only thing tying Man City’s No. 9 to Liverpool after Sunday’s game.
Having finally scored at the Gtech Community Stadium, Haaland has now ticked off a goal at all but one of the Premier League grounds he has played at.
Inevitably, the only stadium the superstar striker has not scored a Premier League goal at is Anfield.
Haaland did bag for RB Salzburg during a Champions League game at the ground in 2019. However, he is yet to find the net in three appearances with Manchester City.
His next chance to beat Virgil van Dijk, Alisson Becker and co will come in early February.