Firmino out as Klopp urged to sign £100m-plus star with six dazzling traits

John Aldridge believes that Liverpool should go all out to sign £100million-plus Borussia Dortmund forward Erling Haaland this summer.

Jurgen Klopp‘s men have enjoyed the brilliant form of their front three for over three seasons now.

In fact, they have rarely had to look past Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah or Roberto Firmino for goal contributions in that time.

However, rumblings of potential change have emerged this season. Diogo Jota has broken up the trio and, injury aside, he would have continued his excellent start to his Anfield career.

What’s more, Mane, Salah and Firmino have faced more questions than ever amid their recent poor form. Their contracts all run out in the summer of 2023 but, speaking to Sunday World, Aldridge wants change sooner than that.

Indeed, he believes that 20-year-old forward Haaland would be the best addition, even given his high-brow fee.

“Roberto Firmino’s form has been a concern for some time, so I would encourage Liverpool to do all they can to sign Erling Haaland next summer,” former forward Aldridge said.

“Liverpool don’t have a Plan B option in their forward line and as we have seen with their slump in form over the last few weeks, they don’t have a back-up plan when Mo Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino are not firing.

“A player like Haaland would give them that variation and while he would cost in excess of £100m to sign from Dortmund, he is the man I’d like to see Liverpool go for.”

Aldridge outlined six transformative attributes that Haaland would offer Liverpool and make them even more dangerous in attack.

The Norwegian exploded onto the scene last season with a hat-trick for RB Salzburg on his Champions League debut. He then earned a move to Germany in December and has scored 37 goals in 37 games for Dortmund.

Haaland living up to his hype

“This lad looks to be the real deal and he has lived up to his hype time and again over the last year,” Aldridge said. “He’s strong, direct, great in the air and a brilliant finisher.

“On top of that, he is young and hungry, which is what Liverpool need in a team that has lost a little of its bite amid their current slump.

“Haaland has everything you look to be a top centre-forward and having him alongside Mane, Salah and Diogo Jota next season would give Liverpool a real chance to spring back into contention for the top trophies.”

Liverpool exited the FA Cup on Sunday after a 3-2 defeat to Manchester United. Meanwhile, six Premier League games without victory has seen them slip to fourth in the table, while they face RB Leipzig in the last 16 of the Champions League next month.

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