Manchester City striker Erling Haaland will be desperate to underline his value to France sensation Kylian Mbappe and others who shone at the World Cup when returning to domestic action on Thursday night (8pm).
That is the verdict from ex- Liverpool player, Glen Johnson, who reckons the Norway star would have been feeling "envious" while watching the Qatar showpiece unfold. Mbappe dragged his side back into a show-stopping match with Argentina before France were eventually beaten on penalties.
PSG forward Mbappe became only the second man to score a hat-trick in the biggest game on the planet - and it meant he took home the Golden Boot as a consolation prize. Due to Norway failing to qualify, Haaland was forced to stay put and train with non- World Cup players while the Premier League was on hold.
READ MORE: City triple boost ahead of Liverpool match as players return to training
Before getting back down to business in that competition, though, City welcome Liverpool to the Etihad Stadium for what is a mouth-watering fourth-round tie between two sides who have pretty much formed a duopoly at the English summit in recent seasons. But can Haaland add to his 29 goals in all competitions this term?
Johnson was pressed on the Haaland and Mbappe rivalry during a promotion for Midnite. He said: "Erling Haaland will be envious watching Kylian Mbappe in the World Cup final.
"He will want to put a stamp on the game again and make sure people have not forgotten him. I think that he will see this Liverpool game to take that opportunity to prove he's still among the best who played at the World Cup."
Haaland signed for City from Borussia Dortmund this summer. He cost £51million and the 22-year-old has made his mark on these shores - in a big way - with 29 goals from 24 games in all competitions.
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