Liverpool playing long game with 'next Erling Haaland'

Stuart Telford

• 11 Jan 2023 16:49 GMT
• 3 min read

Manchester City may have won the race for Erling Haaland last summer, but Liverpool are already targeting his successor as they look to rebuild their squad in the coming seasons.

Liverpool spent big on a striker of their own last summer, agreeing a deal with Benfica for Darwin Nunez that will reach €100 million.

The Uruguayan has come in for some criticism for his Reds performances since, despite scoring 10 goals from 23 games in all competitions this season, only 15 of those starts.

READ: Liverpool believe struggling Darwin Nunez will be a star

Costing €40m more than Haaland but hitting the target 17 fewer times hasn't helped perceptions, but Liverpool are now looking to the future with the next Norwegian goal-machine.

Andreas Schjelderup has lit up the Danish Superliga this season, with 10 goals and an assist from 17 games with FC Nordsjaelland despite his tender 18 years, and has reportedly caught the attention of Jurgen Klopp and Co.

'Liverpool presented specific project'

"A transfer would be worth more than €14 million, including a resale clause," write Norwegian broadcaster TV 2 Sport, who say that Darwin's former club Benfica are on the cusp of concluding a deal for Schjelderup.

READ: How Cody Gakpo can unlock Darwin Nunez and Liverpool

"That makes him the second most expensive Norwegian teenager of all time after Erling Haaland, when he was sold by RB Salzburg to Borussia Dortmund [for €20m].

"According to TV 2's information, Liverpool and Brentford have [also] presented specific projects to Schjelderup's representatives."

Liverpool might be happy to let Schjelderup go to Benfica for now. It is a better proving ground than the Danish top-flight and they are satisfied with what Darwin has brought to the table since swapping the Estadio da Luz for Anfield.

The Reds have already spent €42m this winter in signing Cody Gakpo from PSV Eindhoven ahead of Manchester United, meanwhile.

The Dutchman, who struck three times for his nation at the recent World Cup, would rather line up on the left, though, leaving ample room for another striker once Bobby Firmino calls time on his Liverpool career.