RB Leipzig Chief Hopes to Beat Manchester United, Juventus to Erling Haaland
Dec 23, 2019
SALZBURG, AUSTRIA - DECEMBER 10: Erling Braut Haaland of RB Salzburg inspects the pitch ahead of the UEFA Champions League group E match between RB Salzburg and Liverpool FC at Red Bull Arena on December 10, 2019 in Salzburg, Austria. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
Mintzlaff told Sport1 (h/t Tony Mogan at the Evening Standard) that he thinks the 19-year-old is keen to move but fears his club may be priced out of a deal for the striker.
"We are interested in the player, great interest. He listened to it, logically, and is very open to a move. He would like to change (clubs) in summer at the latest. It is not easy. There's Manchester United, Juventus, Borussia Dortmund. There are a few other clubs as well.
"Of course, our club also has certain guard rails and limits. And I have named the clubs that compete, and there may be salary regions that we don't want to go into. (The fee) is still manageable, but the package does not only consist of the transfer fee.
"It's the same cliche again: we can buy everything and we can get everything and we can do everything. Unfortunately, we can't, otherwise Haaland would already be with us."
Haaland has caught the eye after netting 16 goals in 14 appearances for RB Salzburg in the Austrian Bundesliga and also shining in the UEFA Champions League group stages:
The prolific striker is regarded as one of Europe's most talented young attackers and could be snapped up by one of the continent's top teams when the transfer window opens in January.
RB Salzburg sporting director Christoph Freund has said his team had held talks with Leipzig and Borussia Dortmund over a potential move.
"We are involved in all discussions," he said at a press conference. "Of course, we also knew that Haaland was in Leipzig and Dortmund yesterday. Everyone in Salzburg wants the best for him."
There has also been talk of interest from Manchester United. Manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who worked with Haaland at FC Molde, has played down rumours the striker was flying to England for transfer talks:
Reports in Norway claimed that Erling Haaland was flying in for talks with Manchester United on Friday 👀
The Norwegian has also said that Haaland "knows what he wants to do, and he knows what he's gonna do," per Samuel Luckhurst at the Manchester Evening News.
Serie A champions Juventus are also reportedly interested and are ready to pay his €30 million (£25.7 million) release clause, according to TuttoMercatoWeb (h/t Football Italia).
The Guardian's Fabrizio Romano offered an overview of the situation and why Leipzig may still have a chance of landing the youngster:
...just remember: going to Leipzig would mean business for Red Bull, same ownership of Salzburg and no release clause problems. So, Leipzig (and also BVB) must be considered in the race for Håland as Man United and Juventus. But only the player must and will decide! 🇳🇴 #Haaland
Haaland seems to have his pick of clubs at present, and a move, either in the winter or next summer, looks inevitable as one of Europe's hottest properties prepares to take the next step in his career.
Salzburg Director: It's 'Too Fast' for Erling Haaland Transfer Amid Exit Rumours
Dec 13, 2019
Red Bull Salzburg director Christoph Freund believes January would be "too fast" for Erling Haaland to leave the club amid continued speculation regarding the player's future.
Earlier in the week, Freund confirmed the 19-year-old sensation had already been in talks with both Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig about a possible switch.
Freund toldAlex Richards of the Daily Mirror he feels the Norwegian would be better staying put for the time being: "It's too fast for Erling. ... Erling has only been here five months in the team, sure he's outstanding...but, it's football."
Per Ronan Murphy of Goal, Leipzig manager Julian Nagelsmann confirmed on Friday there have been discussions between the club and Haaland:
RB Leipzig head coach Julian Nagelsmann confirms his meeting with Red Bull Salzburg's Erling Braut Haaland: "I tried to explain to him in English my idea of football. I consider it a good conversation, but there is nothing new to announce here." #RBL#RBS#BVB
Haaland has become a big name among football supporters this season, as he's thrived for the Austrian club in the UEFA Champions League, netting eight goals in the group stages.
As part of BT Sport's coverage, former England strikers Michael Owen and Peter Crouch looked back at some of the teenager's best moments in the competition:
With two strikers in the studio, it's only fair to talk about starlet Erlin Braut Håland...
Salzburg did not progress into the knockout stages though, with Tuesday's 2-0 loss to Liverpool consigning them to the UEFA Europa League.
The reputation of Haaland and a number of other Salzburg players have been enhanced nevertheless. The club's star midfielder Takumi Minamino is reportedly on the brink of making a move to Liverpool in the January transfer window.
Freund said he's delighted the club is building a reputation as the home of some of European football's rising stars:
"I think it makes it easier [to sign players] for the future, if you have a lot of good examples, to bring a player here. But sure this is a big challenge because the standard now from the team is more than four or five years ago.
"For example, five months ago, nine players leave us. Seven players normally in the starting XI, so it's a really big change for us. And, in the end, it was good that we prepared in winter...signing Antoine Bernede from Paris Saint-Germain and Haaland."
Rory Smith of the New York Times suggested the displays of Haaland have seen other stars fly under the radar at Salzburg:
Someone will pay a king’s ransom for Erling Haaland, and with good reason, but I bet Red Bull Salzburg are quite pleased that he’s distracting everyone from how good Minamino and Hwang are.
Given his record in the Champions League, it would be easy to assume the striker is ready to make another step up in his career. In addition to his eight goals in Europe, he's grabbed 16 goals in 14 appearances in the Austrian top flight.
If he was to stay at Salzburg, it's easy to see his development continuing with that in mind. However, when clubs of the calibre of those aforementioned come calling, it must be difficult to say no.
Europe's Most Wanted: Who Will Win the Race to Sign Erling Braut Haaland?
Dec 5, 2019
Salzburg's Norwegian forward Erling Braut Haland celebrates after scoring the 1-1 during the UEFA Champions League Group E football match FC Red Bull Salzburg v SSC Napoli on 23 October 2019 in Salzburg, Austria. (Photo by STRINGER / various sources / AFP) / Austria OUT (Photo by STRINGER/KRUGFOTO/AFP via Getty Images)
At a time when Europe's grandest clubs are forming a disorderly queue for his signature, it is intriguing to discover that Erling Haaland has already sported the colours of one of the teams reported to be pursuing him—namely Manchester City.
So will the Etihad Stadium be the 19-year-old Red Bull Salzburg sensation's next destination? Does Sergio Aguero need to worry about his starting place? Should City's shirt-printing department start stocking up on extra A's?
Well, maybe. But given that Haaland has not worn City sky blue—as far as anyone knows—since his early days in the youth ranks at formative club Bryne, it probably does not pay to read too much into it. Not least when you learn that he was also prone to wearing Leeds United tops and Nottingham Forest jerseys at around the same time.
"He had Leeds and City and Nottingham Forest shirts," recalls Alf Ingve Berntsen, Haaland's former youth coach at Norwegian side Bryne. "It's normal when you're growing up to have football shirts from the teams that your father played for."
Whereas Haaland's choice of replica shirt back then merely reflected where his father, Alf-Inge Haaland, had plied his trade during his own playing career, the question of whose colours the teenager will wear in the future is something that is holding all of European football in suspense.
If the affiliations of the scouts who are watching him are anything to go by, it could be the red of Manchester United, Arsenal or Bayern Munich, the stripes of Juventus, Atletico Madrid or Barcelona, the white of Real Madrid, the royal blue of Chelsea or, indeed, the sky blue of Manchester City. And that is to pick out only nine names from the long list of his supposed suitors, according to Fabrizio Romano of the Guardian.
Salzburg's Norwegian forward Erling Braut Haland celebrates during the UEFA Champions League Group E football match FC Red Bull Salzburg v SSC Napoli on 23 October 2019 in Salzburg, Austria. (Photo by BARBARA GINDL / APA / AFP) / Austria OUT (Photo by BAR
Having scored eight goals in his first five Champions League appearances, including one against defending champions Liverpool and three against Serie A heavyweights Napoli, Haaland has brought his own professional future hurtling towards himself at a rate of knots. Berntsen, who coached him between the ages of six and 15, thinks the strapping blond goal-getter is ready for the big time already.
"If I was one of the top five clubs in Europe, I would have bought Erling immediately," he tells Bleacher Report. "That's my opinion. He's only 19, and he already scores in every game."
Playing time will inevitably be one of Haaland's chief concerns when the time comes for him and his family to decide on his next destination. He has started 14 of the 20 games that he has played in for Salzburg this season (for an astonishing return of 27 goals), and if he is to continue progressing at the same remarkable rate, he will need a club where he can maintain a similar rhythm.
"If the big clubs come in, they need to show that they have a plan for his development," says football journalist Odd Inge Aas from leading Norwegian newspaper Aftenposten. "Because going to a club where he won't play that much, at this stage of his career, wouldn't be that smart."
Haaland, who is under contract until 2023, has already made it clear that he will not allow himself to be dazzled by any bright lights, having ignored interest from the likes of Juventus when he decided to move to Salzburg from Molde last season.
Jan Age Fjortoft became friends with Haaland's father while playing alongside him for the Norwegian national team in the 1990s, and he believes Haaland Sr.'s own successful playing career puts him in an ideal position to offer his son advice.
Salzburg's Erling Braut Haaland celebrates after winning the game between Belgian soccer team KRC Genk and Austrian club RB Salzburg, Wednesday 27 November 2019 in Genk, on the fifth day of the group stage of the UEFA Champions League, in the group E. BEL
"He's not a typical over-eager father," Fjortoft tells Bleacher Report. "He's not one of those fathers who will yell and be very ambitious on his son's behalf. He's been there, and I think that's a good thing when you're a father who has played football—you don't need to live your dreams through your son."
Fjortoft also plays down the suggestion that the arrival on the scene of super-agent Mino Raiola—who is believed to be working with the Haalands in an advisory capacity—could prove a complicating factor in any transfer.
"Alfie Haaland knows that you need advice, that you need people to open doors," he says. "I still see that they've got everything under control."
If Haaland Jr. is to join one of the European elite, a starting berth is unlikely to be presented to him on a silver platter, not when Karim Benzema, Luis Suarez, Cristiano Ronaldo and Robert Lewandowski are among his potential rivals for a centre-forward role at the clubs with whom he has been linked.
But with such a uniquely multifaceted skill set—pace, strength, quick feet, aerial ability, clinical finishing—at the striker's disposal, Berntsen believes he will have no trouble adapting to the playing style of whichever club he elects to join.
"He can be a frontman, where you play the ball up to him and he holds on to it," says Berntsen. "Or he could play in more of a possession team. Because of Erling's different skills, he can adapt to different styles of football."
The most obvious move that Haaland could make would be to join Salzburg's sister club RB Leipzig. It has become a well-trodden path in recent years, with Naby Keita, Dayot Upamecano and Konrad Laimer among the players to have walked it. It would offer Haaland the twin benefits of access to one of Europe's five major leagues and, in all probability, continued exposure to Champions League football.
However, Salzburg sporting director Christoph Freund recently spoke to Kicker and dismissed reports that Leipzig have first refusal on Haaland. With the striker expected to fetch in excess of €60 million (double the German club's current transfer record), it is questionable whether he would fit into their recruitment strategy in the first place.
Salzburg's Norwegian forward Erling Braut Haland celebrates scoring during the UEFA Champions League Group E football match Salzburg v Genk in Salzburg, Austria, on September 17, 2019. (Photo by KRUGFOTO / APA / AFP) / Austria OUT (Photo credit sho
So how about England? Born in Leeds and blessed with physical qualities that seem custom-made for English football, Haaland seems destined to play in the Premier League at some stage, with his father admitting in a recent TalkSport interview that the striker is "built for" the English game.
Fjortoft spent five years playing in England in the 1990s, for Swindon Town, Middlesbrough, Sheffield United and Barnsley, and he believes his young compatriot will grace the English top flight sooner rather than later.
"You just get a feeling because of his background," he says. "He was born in England, his dad played for Manchester City and Leeds United, and he loves English football. Things like that will go into your mind."
If it is to be England, Manchester United would appear to hold a clear advantage over their Premier League rivals. Haaland played under United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at Molde. If the pair were to renew their collaboration, it would serve to fill the vacancy for a burly, goalscoring No. 9 that has existed in Solskjaer's squad since Romelu Lukaku left for Inter Milan during the summer.
Solskjaer has made it clear that he is prepared to put his faith in raw, young players, and The Athletic's Adam Crafton recently reported the United boss is keeping a close eye on his countryman.
"I know that Erling was very satisfied with Solskjaer at Molde," says Berntsen. "They had a very good relationship. What part that might play in any negotiations, I really don't know. But it has to be a good thing that they previously had a good relationship."
Such a move would be sure to prove highly popular in Norway, from where United have historically attracted significant levels of support. "If you could have a Norwegian goalscorer at Manchester United with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as the manager, everything would be crazy here," predicts Aas.
While the identity of his next club remains unknown, Haaland's departure from Salzburg carries the same sense of inevitability as when he is bearing down on goal with the ball at his feet. Be it in January or at the end of the season, or even further down the line, it is now only a matter of time.
"I think that in 2020, and with no disrespect to Salzburg, this guy will play for one of the big clubs in Europe," says Fjortoft. "His next move will be a big one."
Red Bull Salzburg Sporting Director Denies Erling Haaland, RB Leipzig Clause
Nov 28, 2019
Red Bull Salzburg sporting director Christoph Freund has denied there is an agreement in place to sell star forward Erling Haaland to Bundesliga club RB Leipzig.
Haaland has enjoyed an incredible 2019-20 season, excelling for his club in the Austrian Bundesliga and the UEFA Champions League. Unsurprisingly, there has been speculation regarding a big-money move for the player, with Manchester United mentioned as possible suitors.
Leipzig have also been linked with Haaland, and reports have surfaced that there is a clause in place that would allow them to buy the striker for just £25.7 million. Speaking to Kicker (h/t Rich Jones of the Daily Mirror), Freund denied there was any such stipulation in place.
"There is no such clause, that is not an issue for us," he said. "We would never own any club a right of advance to any player. That was not the case in the past and will not be the case in the future."
It's been reported by Adam Crafton of The Athletic that the Red Devils are admirers of the Norwegian, with manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer sending the club's top scout Simon Wells to keep tabs on the player.
At the moment, it would be a shock if United were the only team keeping an eye on the centre-forward.
▪️ 8 Champions League goals this season ▪️ 27 goals in all competitions (19 games) ▪️ Goals in each of his first five Champions League matches ▪️ First teenager to score in five straight UCL games
There's a maturity in Haaland's play and approach to the game that suggests he is destined for the highest level, and it'll be intriguing to see what path he opts to take to the top.
Given the relationship between the Salzburg and Leipzig clubs—the likes of Naby Keita, Dayot Upamecano and Peter Gulacsi have joined the latter from the former previously—rumours regarding Haaland moving to the Bundesliga side are no surprise.
Per Squawka Football, in Timo Werner, Leipzig already boast a prolific centre-forward of their own:
Erling Håland so far this season:⠀ ⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️ ⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️ ⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️🅰️🅰️🅰️ 🅰️🅰️ ⠀ Timo Werner so far this season:⠀ ⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️ ⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️🅰️🅰️🅰️🅰️ 🅰️🅰️🅰️
However, there wouldn't appear to be an agreement in place that would make any transfer straightforward, meaning there will be a number of clubs in the hunt for Haaland.
United's interest is logical after they sold Romelu Lukaku in the summer and have yet to bring in a centre-forward to replace him. At the moment, Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial are sharing the load up top for the Red Devils.
Other high-profile interest will inevitably follow, although Haaland may be reluctant to move to a juggernaut and compromise his time on the field at such an early stage in his career.
Erling Haaland: Red Bull Salzburg Can Beat 'World's Best Team' Liverpool
Nov 28, 2019
Erling Haaland believes Liverpool are "the world's best team" at the moment but thinks his Red Bull Salzburg side can get the better of them.
A 4-1 win for Salzburg in Genk on Wednesday in the UEFA Champions League means the Austrian outfit can still qualify for the knockout stages of the competition. They face the Reds in their final group game on December 10, in which a 1-0 win would be good enough for them to progress.
Haaland came off the bench to score in the triumph over Genk, and after the game he told the UEFA website (h/t Dejan Kalinic of Goal) they can beat the European champions.
"They are the world's best team," said the 19-year-old. "But we know we are good at home and if we are at our top level, we have a chance."
Salzburg continued their fine run in the Champions League with another exciting attacking display in Belgium, keeping their qualification hopes alive in the process:
Haaland also enhanced his growing reputation with a goal off the bench. That finish means he's now netted in all five of Salzburg's Champions League games this season, with eight goals in total in the competition.
It means the Norwegian becomes the first-ever teenager to net in five consecutive fixtures in the Champions League.
▪️ 8 Champions League goals this season ▪️ 27 goals in all competitions (19 games) ▪️ Goals in each of his first five Champions League matches ▪️ First teenager to score in five straight UCL games
Afterwards, Haaland told Sky Sport Austria (h/t Kalinic) that he's not fussed about individual landmarks.
"It's a nice record to have, but I don't really care so much about the records," said the striker. "I just care about my team."
While Haaland is still in the early stages of his career, it's easy to see why so many are so excited about his potential.
Already he's showcased incredible instincts in front of goal. There have also been signs of development in other aspects of his game, too, most notably his link play in the final third. He has seven assists in all competitions this season.
According to David Ornstein of The Athletic, Manchester United are interested in the forward:
That’s now 27 goals in 19 matches for Erling Haaland, the prolific 19-year-old Norway striker who Manchester United want to sign from RB Salzburg - but their pursuit is complicated by the involvement of ‘super agent’ Mino Riaola @TheAthleticUK https://t.co/yPJf0fexYk#MUFC
Given Liverpool's quality, Salzburg will be big outsiders to win in their final group clash. The Austrians acquitted themselves well at Anfield in the previous meeting between the sides, which they lost 4-3.
However, with Haaland in red-hot form and what promises to be a lively crowd behind the Salzburg players at the Red Bull Arena, you wouldn't bet against the Austrians springing a surprise.
Erling Haaland's Ex-Coach: Youngster 'Far from the Level Of Robert Lewandowski'
Nov 15, 2019
Alf Ingve Berntsen, a former coach for Red Bull Salzburg starlet Erling Haaland, has called for patience when assessing the player, saying he is "far from the level" of stars like Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski.
Haaland has taken European football by storm this season, excelling in Austrian football and also shining in the UEFA Champions League. Given he's just 19 years old, it's no surprise the Norwegian has already been subject to transfer speculation, with Bayern, Manchester United and Liverpool mentioned.
However, Bernsten, who worked with Haaland during their time together at Bryne FK, has said the forward still has a long way to go, per Maximilian Schmeckel of Goal:
"The tactical requirements at Bayern and Liverpool would be a bit too high for now—after all, he has only played in Norway and Austria so far. And also there for a short time.
"Joining Bayern would be difficult for him at the moment. Because, of course, he is still far from the level of Robert Lewandowski. Erling is a dominant character, sitting on the bench would not be easy for him. As long as Lewandowski plays at this level, a move to Bayern would therefore not make sense."
Bernsten went on to say it would be "advisable" for Haaland to remain at Salzburg for another season and "it would be bad for him not to play at his new club." He also referenced Haaland's compatriot Martin Odegaard, who struggled to make an impact at Real Madrid after joining the club as a 15-year-old in 2015.
According to Adam Crafton of The Athletic, the interest from Manchester United in the young forward has intensified of late:
The Solskjaer-Haaland speculation was always going to be inevitable given Molde links but this development a bit more significant as United have a scout on the ground in Austria but now it’s gone up a level with Wells involved. #mufc will compete but interest will be widespread.
It's not a shock to see so many high-profile clubs in the frame for Haaland given he's enjoying a stunning 2019-20 season.
In the Austrian top flight, he has already netted 15 goals from 12 appearances, including a hat-trick in a 3-0 win over Wolfsberger on Saturday. Per B/R Football, he's made a habit of netting trebles this term:
Salzburg's Erling Haaland scored his fifth hat-trick of the season today.
What will have impressed scouts is Haaland's performances in the Champions League, having netted in all four of his matches in the competition so far, including games against Napoli and Liverpool.
Bayern, like every big club on the continent, will have an eye on the teenager; former Norway international Jan Aage Fjortoft thinks they should be in for him:
Let us put this way: If Bayern does NOT keep an eye on Haaland.....someone needs to be FIRED https://t.co/n2P0yrGmlI
The Munich giants will be starting to think about life after 31-year-old Lewandowski, although he's enjoying one of the best seasons of his career. The Poland international has scored in every Bundesliga and Champions League game he's featured in this term, finding the net 23 times in total.
Given Lewandowski's physical frame, technical skill and finishing potency, it would make sense if the Bayern man was someone Haaland wanted to emulate. However, given his development at Salzburg, there shouldn't be any huge rush to change clubs.
Erling Haaland Says He Turned Down Juventus to Join Red Bull Salzburg
Oct 2, 2019
SALZBURG, AUSTRIA - SEPTEMBER 17: Erling Haaland of Salzburg celebrates the victory after the UEFA Champions League match between RB Salzburg and KRC Genk at Red Bull Arena on September 17, 2019 in Salzburg, Austria. (Photo by David Geieregger/SEPA.Media /Getty Images)
Erling Haaland has said he rejected interest from Juventus in order to join Red Bull Salzburg, where he could take on a more important first-team role.
Haaland, 19, recently scored a hat-trick on his UEFA Champions League debut when Salzburg hammered Genk 6-2, and the teenager will be part of the squad that faces Liverpool at Anfield on Wednesday.
The signs have been encouraging since he joined Salzburg from Molde in January, and Haaland said he felt it was premature to join a club of Juve's size at the time of their interest, per BBC Sport's Gary Rose.
"I thought it was too early to go there. Salzburg was the club that suited me the best and I also think it was very important to look at how important a part I was going to play for the club I joined. There is more of a chance of playing here," he said.
Haaland became the third-youngest player in history to score a Champions League triple when he put three past Genk, via BT Sport (U.S. and U.K. viewers only):
The youngster moved to Salzburg at the beginning of this year but agreed to join from Molde in August 2018. His integration took a few months, but Haaland now looks critical to the Salzburg attack after he's netted 17 goals in only 10 appearances this season (11 in eight league games).
His trajectory could have been far different had he joined the Bianconeri, where he would undoubtedly find the competition to be much fiercer. Among those vying for a place up front for Juve are Cristiano Ronaldo, Gonzalo Higuain, Paulo Dybala and Mario Mandzukic.
That being said, it doesn't look as though Maurizio Sarri has 33-year-old Mandzukic in his plans after the Croat has failed to make an appearance this season.
The manager also indicated soon after his Juventus appointment that he intended to focus Ronaldo out wide, rather than through the middle:
🎙 Sarri: "In football you can't just attack so we'll have to work on the defensive phase too. @Cristiano will be used mostly out on the left, knowing that he loves to get forward, he must make the difference."#MeetTheWonder#ICC2019
Consistent playing time is often its own reward at this level, and Haaland is one of the most talked-about up-and-coming talents in Europe following his exploits in Austria.
Salzburg have proved to be prolific in purchasing and developing players at the Champions League level. Liverpool star and fellow Salzburg alumnus Sadio Mane recently complimented Haaland, per Goal's Neil Jones:
The striker need have no regrets over the decision based on the quality he's displayed on multiple fronts this season, while Juventus may regret not pushing harder for his signature.
Salzburg Director: Erling Haaland a Doubt to Face Liverpool in UCL with Illness
Sep 29, 2019
SALZBURG, AUSTRIA - SEPTEMBER 17: Erling Braut Haland of RB Salzburg looks on during the UEFA Champions League group E match between RB Salzburg and KRC Genk at Red Bull Arena on September 17, 2019 in Salzburg, Austria. (Photo by TF-Images/Getty Images)
Red Bull Salzburg sporting director Christoph Freund has said striker Erling Haaland is a doubt for the UEFA Champions League visit to Liverpool on Wednesday because of illness.
Haaland, 19, became the third-youngest player to score a Champions League hat-trick when Salzburg dominated Genk 6-2 in their opening Group E matchup.
Salzburg travel to Anfield on Matchday 2 as group leaders, but Freund told Viasat (h/t Liverpool Echo's Paul Gorst) illness may keep Haaland out: "The next two days are important. He is checked by a doctor every day. He's sick, and we don't quite know when he will be back. Hopefully over the next few days."
Haaland moved to Salzburg from Norwegian outfit Molde this past summer and has been an instant hit in Austria, scoring 17 times in 10 appearances for his new club this season.
Salzburg had little need of their boy wonder on Saturday when they romped to a 4-1 home win over Austria Wien despite his absence.
Sekou Koita—another 19-year-old new arrival at the club—scored two and assisted Salzburg's remaining goals in that clash, and he will be in contention to keep his place up front should Haaland miss out.
The Malian wasn't included in the squad that defeated Genk in their first match of the Champions League campaign, but manager Jesse Marsch may rethink his involvement following the display against Wien.
Former Molde starlet Haaland dazzled on Matchday 1 and gave Salzburg the dream start they needed to edge Napoli on goal difference at the top of Group E, via BT Sport (U.S. and UK viewers only):
Liverpool lost 2-0 at Napoli in the first match of their Champions League title defence, and Jurgen Klopp will be particularly motivated to ensure they clinch three points in their opening home fixture.
Haaland's absence would be a big hinderance for the visitors if they're to cause an upset on Merseyside, with one of Europe's most promising teenagers out to make an impact against the Kings of Europe.
