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Football

26th Nov 2021

Rio Ferdinand urges Liverpool to sign ‘devastating’ striker Erling Haaland

Daniel Brown

Haaland has scored 70 goals in 72 appearances for Dortmund.

Rio Ferdinand has urged Liverpool to sign Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Haaland ahead of title rivals Manchester City.

The Norwegian striker is currently one of the most sought-after players in world football and at the end of the season, his £64million release clause can be activated.

Haaland – who has scored 70 goals in 72 appearances for Dortmund – is currently sidelined until the new year after suffering from a reoccurring hip injury.

He has also been prolific on the international stage, finding the net 12 times in his 15 senior appearances for Norway.

The 21-year-old has been linked with a host of Europe’s top clubs, including Premier League sides Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool.

However, United legend Ferdinand believes the striker should join Liverpool – rather than City – because he’s ‘more suited’ to Jurgen Klopp’s style of play.

“I think he suits other teams better [than Man City],” Ferdinand told BT Sport. “If I was Liverpool I would take him right now.

“If he goes to Liverpool that’s a devastating front three. I don’t think it’s as hard for him to adapt if he goes to Liverpool. It’s a different system.

“You see Jack Grealish has gone to Man City, [he is a] top player, brilliant player, we all love watching him, but it’s quite hard to adapt and get into that team.

“Not many players go there and adapt immediately.”

Despite making a positive start to their Bundesliga campaign – sitting just one point behind leaders Bayern Munich – BVB exited the Champions League on Wednesday after suffering 3-1 loss away at Sporting Lisbon – their third defeat in Group C.

The result sees them drop into the Europa League in the new year, with Haaland’s return from injury expected to coincide with their first game in the competition.

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