Erling Haaland has been tipped to finish second in the Golden Boot race this season, as ex-Manchester City boss Stuart Pearce predicts Mohamed Salah will win a second award in a row
Erling Haaland of Manchester City looks dejected after the team's defeat in the Emirates FA Cup Final match between Manchester City and Manchester United
Erling Haaland scored 22 league goals last season - the lowest of his Manchester City career thus far
Erling Haaland has been warned that Mohamed Salah will outscore him this season because the Liverpool ace doesn't wholly depend on his team-mates to set up chances for him. That's according to former Manchester City manager Stuart Pearce, who reckons the Anfield legend will claim the Premier League's Golden Boot for the second consecutive campaign.
The 33-year-old secured his fourth Golden Boot in total last term following his 29-goal haul that propelled the Reds to Premier League glory in Arne Slot's debut season at the helm. Only Thierry Henry has claimed as many Golden Boots as Salah in the Premier League era.
A fifth success this campaign would represent yet another milestone the Egyptian has achieved during his remarkable spell on Merseyside, reports the Liverpool Echo.
Salah's triumph last term ended Haaland's two-season stranglehold on the accolade, with the Norwegian managing 22 league strikes despite being sidelined for nearly a month with an ankle problem near the end of the campaign.
Both forwards made impressive starts to the new Premier League campaign's opening weekend, with Salah finding the net in Liverpool's thrilling 4-2 home victory against Bournemouth, whilst Haaland was among four players to bag a brace as City cruised to a commanding 4-0 triumph at Wolves.
Speaking to BestBettingSites, Pearce highlighted Salah's fitness record and his ability to create his own opportunities as reasons why he believes the forward will edge out Haaland this term. He stated: "I think Salah will once again [be] top-scorer. He plays all the games.
Mo Salah celebrates winning the Premier League Golden Boot with Ian Rush
Mohamed Salah joined Thierry Henry as the only players to win four Premier League Golden Boot awards
"There doesn't seem to be any rotation with Mo Salah either. You see certain players get taken off, or maybe not start games that are not seen as critical games. Salah seems to start all the time. So I still feel as though Salah will be the top scorer.
"Haaland, he's going to be in the top two or three, there's no doubt about that. Like Salah, Haaland really plays all the games. Pep picks him all the time. But I just feel as though maybe he's beholden a little bit more to the supply line behind him, more so than Salah.
"I think Salah creates more for himself. That's why I put him at number one. Haaland will be number two or three in the goal scoring charts, no doubt about that. But I'm not sure he'll pip Salah." Pearce went even further with his predictions, tipping the Reds to clinch their first back-to-back league triumph since 1984.
Manchester City's Erling Haaland posing with the Premier League Golden Boot
Erling Haaland has already captured two Golden Boot awards since joining Manchester City
"I think Liverpool will win it," the former England defender declared. "Liverpool have strengthened really well from winning the title. If [Alexander] Isak arrives, that will make them even stronger, so that could be a huge advantage to come. There's also been talk about Marc Guehi coming to Anfield.
"So that would be two more outstanding Premier League players in the squad for the season to come. I think Chelsea will come second. I think the other two in with a shout are Manchester City and Arsenal.
"But it will be a great title race." Following their opening day triumph over the Cherries, Slot's side are gearing up for their first major test of the season as they head to Newcastle on Monday evening.
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