Pep Guardiola weighs in on Erling Haaland and Alexander Isak debate after 'best in the world' claim | OneFootball

Guardiola has weighed in on the debate surrounding the best striker in the world

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola says he ranks Erling Haaland “a little bit above” new Liverpool striker Alexander Isak.

Isak is now in direct competition to Haaland when it comes to challenging for the Premier League and Champions League after sealing a British record £125million, potentially rising to £130million, transfer to Liverpool on Deadline Day.

Slot said: “First of all I think the Swedish manager, Jon Dahl Tomasson, deserves a big, big, big compliment because he gets one of the best, maybe the best striker in the world in and needs to play two very important games for his country, but understands if he would play him twice for 90 minutes the player would have probably been injured for multiple weeks.”

Slot’s comments were put to Guardiola ahead of Man City’s derby showdown against Manchester United and his response to where he ranks Haaland in comparison to Isak was: "A little bit above.”

Full faith: Pep Guardiola has backed Erling Haaland

AFP via Getty Images

The Spaniard did go on to praise Isak but said he wouldn’t swap Haaland for any player in the world

He added: “Isak is an exceptional player. You asked me about Erling and he is top.

"Isak must be a top player because of what they paid. Another one would say [Kylian] Mbappe, [Lionel] Messi, Cristiano [Ronaldo], it’s a game of opinions.

“I wouldn’t change Erling for anyone. I know him. I like him."

Haaland and Isak are set to be on opposing sides in November when Man City welcome Liverpool to the Etihad in the first meeting between the two title rivals this season.