DOM AND ERLING ... MY BRILLIANT BARGAIN BUDDIES JESSE MARSCH EXCLUSIVE
JESSE MARSCH still has to pinch himself that he once was in charge of Erling Haaland and Dominik Szoboszlai as the pair began to make an impact with Red Bull Salzburg.
The former Leeds United boss also went on to manage Szoboszlai at RB Leipzig and cannot wait to see two players he rates among the best in the world in their respective positions come up against each other this afternoon at Anfield.
Haaland joined City from Borussia Dortmund for £51.2million in 2022, while Liverpool bought Szoboszlai for £60m from Leipzig last summer.
Marsch said: “I know one thing for certain, in today’s inflated transfer market both Liverpool and Manchester City had bargain buys.
“A lot of the top players at the club had been sold when I arrived at Red Bull Salzburg and so this was the chance for the younger players.
“Erling exploded with goals and assists, while Szobo quickly picked up on his team-mate’s incredible work ethic.
“Szobo saw at close quarters how determined Erling was, continually seeking feedback on his performances in games. Szobo bought into all that, which meant his game reached new heights.
“You can see it now – they both have an arrogance in their play, a confidence. It’s not about being selfish and not bothering about their team-mates. It’s the opposite.
“They want to make sure they are the hardest workers in their side.”
During their spell in Austria, Haaland and Szoboszlai formed a close bond which still exists today.
Szoboszlai said: “I’m not surprised how well Erling has done at Manchester City. He is an unbelievable player.
“Seeing him at Manchester City and what he was capable of made me want to come to England.
“But I told him when I first arrived that although I respected him, I hadn’t come to Liverpool to end up second.
“I knew we had a great manager in Jurgen Klopp and some great players and so the immediate ambition was to win the Premier League.”
For Marsch, it is a case of sitting back and watching one of the games of the season unravel with two of his former players centre stage.
He added: “Erling is a force of nature that can’t be stopped. He will do whatever it takes to become the best player in the world.
“He was a joy to work with, while Szobo is a modern-day David Beckham.
“When the ball is on his right foot, he can place it anywhere he wants.”
‘Erling is a force of nature and Szobo is a modern Beckham’