Robot, machine, animal - all three vastly different things used to describe the ability of Erling Haaland since he joined Manchester City in the summer. However, the marauding Norwegian striker was proven to be very human at the weekend as Liverpool ran out 1-0 winners over the Citizens at Anfield.
It provided a potentially huge boost to three London clubs in Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham, who are either side of the champions in the table. While it inflicted a first defeat of the season to Pep Guardiola and his side, it was also a game where Haaland failed to make an impact.
The 22-year-old has already scored 20 goals in all competitions so far this season, doing so in just 13 appearances. Liverpool's deeper defensive line stopped the striker having much joy in space behind to run into, while in the link play they managed to isolate him and deny many passages that involved the striker.
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It has led to his father and former Manchester City player Alf-Inge Haaland warning that he won't always meet the lofty goalscoring standards that have already been set by his short time in the division. "It's a lot of attention at the moment," he told former Norway teammate Jan Aage Fjørtoft.
"He's had a great start to the season so it's about maintaining it but we know also there will be some days where he doesn't score. It's going to be tough but we're trying as best we can not to get too focused on everything that happens next to the pitch."
For the sides looking to better Man City in the league, it could prove to be a huge turning point in his goalscoring progression for the season. While Arsenal will look to extend their four-point lead at the top, both Tottenham and Chelsea will be hopeful of leapfrogging them soon as they close in on their rivals.
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