Haaland is pondering his options but United are optimistic of a deal
allowing Kodjia a free run at goal. One-on-one with Kelleher, he slipped a finish beyond the diving goalkeeper. This one was certainly his goal.
There was time for another before the break. In the final minute of the half, neat Villa interplay on the edge of the area allowed Jota to square wide for Elmohamady and Kodjia turned the Egyptian’s low cross in at the near post. Villa were four up at half-time after having only three shots on goal.
The second half was more sedate and it is to Liverpool’s credit that they almost managed to draw it 0-0, despite the intensity of the contest and the cramp mounting in their legs. Kane and Elliott went close to consolations, but Nyland’s performance in the Villa goal warranted a clean sheet.
Dean Smith introduced Wesley with just over a quarter of an hour remaining in the hope that his £22m striker would end a nine-game goal drought. With virtually the last kick, he slipped in behind Van den Berg and swept the ball past Kelleher to receive a confidence boost.
Critchley talked about this as an opportunity for his young players to impress and potentially join their elders in the Gulf. Elliott, Van den Berg and the promising Ki-Jana Hoever could well fly out.
But for most of Liverpool’s players, this was about learning lessons on what it takes at senior level. It will be an invaluable, unforgettable experience, even if it ended in an unfortunate but predictable defeat.
MANCHESTER United are optimistic of clinching a deal for Erling Haaland, but Red Bull Salzburg want to keep the Norwegian striker until the summer at least and the teenager has also been strongly advised to continue his development in Germany.
The 19-year-old, who has 35 direct goal involvements in 22 appearances across all competitions since signing for the Austrian champions in January, has been plotting his future.
Meetings between the player and representatives — including his father, former Manchester City and Leeds midfielder Alf-Inge Haaland — have taken place with United, Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig.
While Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who handed the teenager his debut at Molde, received encouragement after his pitch to the in-demand young forward with United chief Ed Woodward last Friday, there is an overwhelming desire for Haaland to take another step first before moving to the Premier League.
United face Colchester in the Carabao Cup tonight.
The Norwegian is a primary target for both Dortmund and Leipzig, but it is the latter that he has been advised to join. Germany’s league leaders have stability and a high probability of success with Julian Nagelsmann at the helm and there would not be a great deal of adaptation for Haaland, nor excessive attention, expectation and pressure.
The close relationship between Salzburg and Leipzig through sponsors Red Bull is obviously beneficial, with the latter’s sporting director, Markus Krosche, revealing an offer to the attacker has already been made.
Dad Alf-Inge knows his son can be an exceptional player, but has underscored that he is still a “raw talent” and England’s topflight is “a very tough league”.
Haaland is ahead of where his father and Salzburg expected him to be in his development and there is a consciousness not to rush his advancement.
Salzburg will sell Takumi Minamino to Liverpool for £7.25m in January and their sporting director Christoph Freund explained the differences in the two situations.
“Haaland is a different case,” Freund said. “He’s still very young, this is only his first year with Salzburg. He’s done exceptionally in the last month.
“His situation is different to Takumi’s, who has been here five years in what has been a very special story. Takumi is ready to make the next step in January.”