All eyes will be on Manchester City this afternoon as it looks to end its slump in the Premier League. Ahead of the game, two Liverpool players have clearly made a big impression on Erling Haaland this season.
Haaland picks Liverpool duo in ultimate team
Although he might not admit it publicly, Erling Haaland clearly rates Liverpool high, and two of the Reds in particular if his EAFC Ultimate Team is anything to go by.
Posting on his Instagram story (via Rousing the Kop), the Manchester City striker shared his squad on the game, which featured two Liverpool stars in the line-up. Virgil van Dijk and Dominik Szoboszlai made the cut, although there was no room for Cristiano Ronaldo.
“Sorry Ronaldo, have to drop you for my cousin Jonatan Brunes,” Haaland wrote.
Van Dijk and Szoboszlai have clearly made a big impression on Haaland this season, with the duo emerging as two of Liverpool’s standout stars. It might not seem like much, but the gesture is a clear recognition of the quality in Jürgen Klopp’s side this season.
‘Talks held’ with Palhinha agent
Liverpool has reported talks with the agent of Fulham midfielder João Palhinha ahead of a potential transfer. According to TEAMtalk, the Reds have joined Arsenal and Manchester United in the race.
Bayern Munich still holds an interest as well, despite missing out on signing Palhinha during the summer. The Portuguese looked set to join the Bundesliga champion, only for Fulham to call the deal off.
According to the report, it will take a similar fee to the one Bayern agreed during the summer in order for Liverpool to secure Palhinha’s services. That could mean a deal worth around $75m (£60m/€70m), although Fulham may look to increase the price.
If that is the case, it’s a deal Liverpool shouldn’t be considered too strongly. At 28, Palhinha doesn’t fit the usual profile of signing for the Reds, and there is clearly a bigger priority in defense now.