Featured Image Credit: Alamy & TheEuropeanLad
Topics: Manchester City, Erling Haaland, Liverpool, Community Shield
Daniel Marland
Topics: Manchester City, Erling Haaland, Liverpool, Community Shield
Manchester City striker Erling Haaland has touched the ball eight times during his side's Community Shield clash with Liverpool this evening.
The 22-year-old joined City in a £51 million deal earlier this month and is expected to lead the line for Pep Guardiola's side.
Haaland has been prolific for RB Salzburg and Borussia Dortmund, but it will likely take time to adapt to English football.
Advert
It was evident in the opening 45 minutes at the King Power Stadium which saw the Norway international barely involved.
Haaland was marshalled well by Virgil van Dijk and Joel Matip for most of the half and Liverpool went into the break 1-0 up.
Despite that, Haaland managed to fashion two chances for himself just past the half hour mark.
He found himself through on goal but fired his shot straight at Adrian. Seconds later, he failed to make proper contact with a Joao Cancelo cross and saw his effort spin high into the air.
Advert
Fans have reacted to Haaland's performance so far and on the whole, they are not impressed.
One person said: "City should bring Haaland on at halftime tbh."
Another put: "Already proving he won't fit into the system barely touched the ball."
A third tweeted: "If Nunez just missed that Haaland chance there’d be a video with 90k likes up by now."
Advert
While someone said: "Haaland gonna be shocked when he finds out PL teams actually defend in games."
Liverpool started the game on the front foot and it was Trent Alexander-Arnold who opened the scoring after 21 minutes.
The full-back received the ball just outside the area and had a crack, which defender Nathan Ake deflected into his own net.
Advert
Jurgen Klopp opted to leave his big-money summer signing, £85 million striker Darwin Nunez, on the bench and started a front three of Mohamed Salah, Luis Diaz and Roberto Firmino.
City did grow into the contest and Riyad Mahrez was their most threatening attacker, testing Andrew Robertson out wide.
Advert
The Community Shield is being played at the King Power Stadium rather than Wembley due to England's Euro 2022 final against Germany at the national stadium on Sunday.