Jurgen Klopp says Liverpool will experience a familiar rush heading into Sunday's clash with Manchester City, despite writing off their Premier League title chances.

Klopp has openly dismissed the possibility of the Reds contending for top spot this term, having already slipped 14 points behind leaders Arsenal and 13 adrift of champions City.

Liverpool have regularly been City's closest challengers in recent seasons, twice taking them to the final day and winning the title themselves in 2019-20.

As such, matches between the two teams have made for compelling viewing, with the championship seemingly on the line.

Yet Klopp, while acknowledging his side will not be celebrating come May, suggests the title element could still be relevant this weekend as Liverpool welcome City – "definitely the best football team in the world" – to Anfield.

"It could be [a title decider] this year... just not with us," Klopp said.

"When you play City, the results left and right are not really important. This game requires all your focus, requires all the things you know about football.

"I enjoy preparing the game really, but it's the biggest challenge you can face in football.

"Football is all about closing down spaces, closing down players, making challenges in the right areas, these kind of things. With City, it's always: if you close down here, they are there; if you close down that gap, you open up that gap. The pitch is so big, and we have only 10 players to close all the gaps.

"It's always a challenge. It's not that we now feel different; it's a home game, it's Anfield, it's us against Man City.

"They are, at the moment, definitely the best football team in the world, that's how it is. But we will give it a try anyway, knowing there are no guarantees. We get help from a full Anfield and we try to use that."

Liverpool come into the match on a high after winning 7-1 against Rangers in the Champions League.

That was an encouraging result and performance for Klopp, but having also beaten Bournemouth 9-0 this season before again struggling, he added a joke at his team's expense.

"It's helpful when these boys at least still know where the goal is," he said. "We just need to spread the goals a bit more to different games.

"We should not focus on one, then nine, then seven, then nil. We know that."

Jurgen Klopp became aware of Erling Haaland's "insane" potential when he faced Liverpool with Salzburg, and the Reds boss believes the striker has found "a perfect fit" at Manchester City.

Liverpool were drawn into the same Champions League group as Haaland's Salzburg in the 2019-20 season.

Then 19, having hit a hat-trick against Genk on his Champions League debut, Haaland netted in a 4-3 defeat at Anfield.

The Norway international has scarcely stopped scoring since, earning moves to Klopp's former club Borussia Dortmund and then City, where he has an astonishing 20 goals in 13 games in all competitions.

Ahead of facing Haaland again on Sunday in the Premier League, Klopp was asked for his take on the dominant forward.

"Even when he was very young, younger than he is now, you could see the potential was insane," Klopp said.

"Physically, he sets new standards. The combination of being really physical and technical and [having] sensational awareness, his orientation on the pitch is exceptional, he is barely offside, he resets really well – there are so many things that make him a striker.

"Now, at City, he has some of the best players around him in the world in setting up goals and finding the right moment for the passes, with Kevin De Bruyne, Ilkay Gundogan, Bernardo Silva, Phil Foden, [Riyad] Mahrez, whoever. They all are really good at that.

"It's a perfect fit, there is no doubt about that."

Asked how Haaland might compare to other elite forwards, with Robert Lewandowski name-checked as a player Klopp worked with previously, the Liverpool manager said: "For Erling, I think it's that he combines so many things, and it's rare.

"His finishing skills are exceptional, but he also moves really smart. You can only use the speed if you use it in a smart way, because just running is not helpful if you forget the ball or whatever. Especially behind the line, you need to make sure that you are patient enough in not being offside.

"The package makes him special."

So, do Liverpool have any special plans for dealing with Haaland? That is tricky, Klopp said, when he plays for a side as good as City.

"When you play against, at the moment, the best striker in the world, you have to make sure he doesn't get that many balls," Klopp explained.

"That's what we will try, but against City, obviously the problem is if you close Haaland down with too many players then you open up gaps for all the other world-class players, so that will not make life easier.

"It's a challenge, a football problem. We will try to find solutions."

Pep Guardiola is ignoring Liverpool's below-par start to the Premier League season ahead of Manchester City's trip to Anfield on Sunday, declaring: "Nothing changes what I feel about Liverpool."

City and Liverpool have finished as the Premier League's top two teams in three of the last four seasons, but the Reds trail the champions by 13 points after a poor start to the new campaign.

Liverpool's tally of 10 points is their lowest at this stage of a season since 2012-13 (nine), and Jurgen Klopp's team have already lost as many league games this campaign as they did throughout the entirety of last term (two).

That form represents quite the drop-off for a side who went tantalisingly close to a stunning quadruple in 2021-22, but Guardiola believes City will still face a stern test.

"I had the feeling at Anfield we have played really well [in the past]," Guardiola said on Friday. "It's different circumstances, but you have to behave at a top, top level. 

"In Anfield, winning or losing, we have behaved with an incredible personality. It's a football game, Liverpool is important because of the quality they have.

"Liverpool were going for a prestigious achievement of four titles. For two little details, they didn't achieve what no English team has done.

"I pay zero attention to them being in a good moment or bad moment. They know in the last years, we have fought for most of the competitions and titles, and it's been really close.

"We were a bit better, especially in the Premier League, but nothing changes what I feel about Liverpool."

Pushed on whether Liverpool remain title contenders, Guardiola said: "Liverpool have always been our biggest challengers, and they will be now. Being in the position that we are, with the World Cup, anything can happen."

City have picked up four points from their last two league trips to Anfield, just one fewer than they earned in their previous 17 visits to Liverpool (D5 L12).

Should Guardiola's men avoid defeat on Sunday, it will represent the first time they have done so in three consecutive away league games against Liverpool since December 1992.

City's efforts could be hampered by the absences of England trio Kalvin Phillips, John Stones and Kyle Walker, but Guardiola says Erling Haaland and Bernardo Silva are raring to go after being rested at Copenhagen on Tuesday.

"John Stones will be back in, I don't know, maybe one week or 10 days. Kalvin is doing really well, but Kyle is out," Guardiola said.

"We have a lot of games, like all the teams. Players are recovering better. Erling could not play all the games last season. Bernardo was tired, but they feel good and are ready for Sunday."

Haaland has only played nine Premier League games for City, but he has already broken the records for most goals (15) and goal involvements (18) in a player's first 10 outings in the competition.

The Norwegian is just one goal away from matching the record for most goals scored by a player across any 10-game stint in Premier League history, set by former Liverpool attacker Luis Suarez – who from October to December 2013 scored 16 goals for the Reds.

Roberto Firmino was not supposed to be Liverpool's go-to man this season. If widespread reports were anything to go by, Firmino himself did not even envisage himself being at Anfield this campaign.

And yet here we are, midway through October, and no Liverpool player – not even the £350,000-a-week Mohamed Salah, despite his record-breaking six-minute hat-trick against Rangers – has played a part in more goals in all competitions this season than Firmino's eight.

Far from being the odd man out following the arrivals of Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez this year, Firmino has regularly stepped up for the Reds this season and is surely in contention to start Sunday's Premier League showdown against Manchester City.

Liverpool quite simply have to win at Anfield, where Firmino will come face-to-face with Europe's hottest striker in Erling Haaland, a player boasting 20 goals – six more than anyone else in Europe's top-five leagues – from his 13 appearances for City and feeling refreshed after a midweek rest. 

Ahead of the meeting between the Premier League's two most dominant forces over the past four seasons, Stats Perform looks at Firmino's figures in more detail and just why he may hold the key to Liverpool getting the better of the champions.

KLOPP'S FAITH PAYS OFF

Amid all the noise surrounding Firmino's future heading into the 2022-23 campaign, with Juventus said to be in advanced talks to sign him, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp branded the forward "the heart and soul" of the team.

No wonder the German thinks so highly of the 31-year-old, with no Liverpool player playing more games (332), featuring for more minutes (23,899) or registering more assists (70) during Klopp's seven years in charge.

The arrivals of Diaz and Nunez, plus the impressive form of Diogo Jota, looked as though it would curtail Firmino's playing time, but he started three of Liverpool's opening four matches of the campaign, including the Community Shield win over City.

Firmino failed to register a single goal or assist in any of those matches, yet he retained the faith of Klopp – albeit helped by Jota being injured and Nunez suspended – and truly kick-started his campaign in the 9-0 thrashing of Bournemouth at the end of August.

In that game, a joint-record winning margin for a side in Premier League history, Firmino became the first Liverpool player to be directly involved in four goals in the first half of a match in the competition en route to scoring two and assisting three. If a reminder was needed of Firmino's qualities, this was very much it.

An important equaliser followed in Liverpool's next match, a late 2-1 win over Newcastle United; two goals to drag Liverpool back from two goals down in a 3-3 draw with Brighton and Hove Albion; another equaliser, this time in defeat to Arsenal; and then another two-goal and an assist showing in the 7-1 midweek Champions League rout of Rangers.

Those 12 goals and assists in all competitions is level with Salah's tally for the season, and double that of next-best Diaz, who has started three games more than the Brazil international. Per minute, no Liverpool player is performing better this season in an attacking sense.

FIRMINO THE FOCAL POINT

Perhaps most remarkable of all as focus turns to Liverpool's meeting with City, Firmino is only one goal short of Haaland's tally for October (five goals compared to six). Across clubs from Europe's top-five leagues, when taking all competitions into account, Monaco's Wissam Ben Yedder is the only other player with five or more goals this month.

Firmino's five goals have come from an expected goals (xG) value of 1.43, incidentally, compared to six from an xG of 3.03 for Haaland – a difference of 3.57 and 2.97 respectively, suggesting the quality of Firmino's chances have been lower than those teed up for Haaland.

That is not to say Firmino is in the same league as Haaland right now – who is? – but on a personal level this is by some way his best start to a campaign for Liverpool. His eight goals after 11 games is at least two more than he has managed in his previous seven seasons at Anfield, while only in 2019-20 has he had more assists than his four this term.

But exactly why is that? Playing against a Bournemouth side unable to defend any balls into the box has admittedly skewed the figures somewhat, though it is clear to see that Firmino's game has also changed this season compared to last.

Just under 11 per cent of his touches of the ball in the Premier League this season have come within the width of the goal inside the penalty area, which is an increase on a figure of six per cent last time out. It was further back last season, and more towards the right, that he more occasionally touched the ball.

Indeed, all eight of his goals this season have come from that central zone inside the box – one via his head, three with his left foot and four with his right. 

Another interesting aspect of Firmino's game this season has been his movement, or more specifically his off-the-ball runs into the penalty area. He has made 89 of them in the Premier League in his 468 minutes on the field, which is the most per 90 minutes (17.1) of any player, followed by Haaland (14.1).

That may well be a tactic Liverpool will aim to take full advantage of against City, a side in which Firmino has scored or assisted against seven times in 14 top-flight appearances – only versus Arsenal (13 combined) does he have a better record against among top-five clubs.

So while plenty of the build-up to Sunday's showdown will – justifiably – be centred around Haaland and his remarkable scoring run, Liverpool will have born-again Bobby to call upon in a game they simply must win if they are to keep alive any hopes of challenging for the title.

Real Madrid had a drawn-out pursuit of Kylian Mbappe earlier this year but ultimately missed out on the France forward.

Mbappe opted to sign a lucrative contract extension with Paris Saint-Germain in May, tying him to the Parisians until 2025.

But earlier this week, Fabrizio Romano reported the situation between PSG and Mbappe had got tense, with the player keen to depart.

TOP STORY – MADRID MOVE ON FROM MBAPPE AMID TRANSFER TWIST

Marca claims that Real Madrid are no longer have interest in signing Mbappe amid reports that he is unsettled at PSG and wants to leave.

The report claims that Los Blancos are observing the situation from afar with no desire to participate in the latest drama.

Romano also said PSG had no intention of selling Mbappe in January amid the speculation he wanted out. PSG director Luis Campos denied the report on Tuesday.

ROUND-UP

– Bayern Munich will turn to Borussia Monchengladbach forward Marcus Thuram should they fail to land Tottenham's Harry Kane , reports TZ. Thuram's Gladbach deal ends at the end of this season.

– Sky Sport's Florian Plettenberg reports that Toni Kroos and Real Madrid are set to commence talks on a new deal running until 2024, with his currently deal expiring at season's end.

– Barcelona will try to lure Chelsea pair N'Golo Kante and Jorginho to Camp Nou as free agents at the end of this season, claims the Evening Standard. The Blues are currently trying to convince both to re-sign.

– 90min claims Manchester City have told Bayern Munich and Inter that defender Nathan Ake is not for sale in January, following speculation about their interest.

– West Ham have joined Roma and Manchester United in pursuing a deal for Sassuolo midfielder Davide Frattesi, according to Calciomercato.

– Football Insider reports Brentford have commenced discussions with England international striker Ivan Toney on a new deal, with Tottenham linked to him.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp claimed Wednesday's 7-1 Champions League win away to Rangers has completely changed the mood within the group ahead of Sunday's clash with Manchester City.

The Reds have endured a difficult start to the 2022-23 season, particularly in the Premier League, where they are 10th with 10 points from eight games. Klopp's side also lost their opening Champions League game with a poor 4-1 loss away to Napoli, compounding their issues.

Wednesday's emphatic win in Glasgow, which included a record-breaking Mohamed Salah hat-trick within six minutes and 12 seconds, came after losing 3-2 to Arsenal.

Klopp argued the win had made the mood "completely different" and even joked about getting drunk amid the celebrations.

"It changed the mood, definitely," Klopp told reporters. "It is completely different. We usually drink a beer after away games, but it is that long ago that I drank beer and I probably will be drunk after one.

"It changes the mood completely and that's good, but we all know who we are welcoming on Sunday and this will be a different game. It is better to go into a game with the feeling we've got tonight than any other."

Klopp utilised Salah off the bench against Rangers, coming on in the 68th minute, along with Diogo Jota, who was a 73rd-minute substitute before providing the assists for all three of the Egyptian's goals.

Andy Robertson returned from a knee injury to make his first appearance since Napoli loss in early September as a 67th-minute substitute as well.

Darwin Nunez, Roberto Firmino and Jordan Henderson were among those brought off, although Klopp declined to give much away when asked if the changes were in preparation for City.

"The changes tonight were because we could do it, but Diogo Jota didn't start because I got a call this morning that he feels a little bit his muscle," the German said.

"He could play but he should not play for too long, so it was my decision to decide do I start him for 30 minutes or do we bring him [on] for 20? So that was obviously the right thing to do.

"Hendo played a lot, Darwin now played a lot after not playing that much and you have all of these kind of things in your mind when you do the changes.

"Actually, the first 11 was really good but the changes made gave us the next step with us and that was very, very pleasing. It was good, but that’s it and now we recover and prepare for the next game."

On taking on City, who are second in the Premier League, he added: "We don’t have to make a big thing of it, but the best football team in the world right now is coming to Anfield on Sunday.

"We will see what we can do, but it's not now that we are with a big mouth and telling them come and we are waiting. Not at all. It was for us tonight, for different reasons, incredibly important. Yes, 7-1 is a freak result, we know that."

Sergio Aguero has compared Manchester City talisman Erling Haaland to the likes of Lionel Messi and Ronaldo Nazario, backing the Norwegian to continue breaking records with Pep Guardiola's team.

Haaland has scored 20 goals in just 13 appearances since joining City from Borussia Dortmund, sending records tumbling during an incredible start to life in England.

The 22-year-old set a new Premier League record in August by scoring nine times in his first five outings, and he became the first player to score a hat-trick in three consecutive home games in the competition by starring in a 6-3 win over Manchester United this month.

Haaland's spectacular start in Manchester has earned him lofty praise from City legend Aguero, who has compared him to two South American greats.

"There's been many strikers worthy of awe I can think of," Aguero told Stake.com. "One of my favourites was Ronaldo Nazario, who time and time again proved to be the full package as a player, and a menace before the goalposts.

"Each era usually has two or three players with that ability – and usually with different styles. 

"Diego [Maradona], Romario, [Robert] Lewandowski, [Zlatan] Ibrahimovic, and Leo, of course! Each had their own flair, but they were all tremendous scorers to a fault.

"Speaking of Haaland specifically, he's got potency, athleticism, and a particular instinct for goals, which makes him very dangerous. 

He's got everything to keep racking up amazing stats, especially being part of an offensively-minded team like City. That in turn means plenty of opportunities to score. 

"He's young and has a lot of potential to continue breaking records. Key to this, of course, will be consistency."

Aguero – City's all-time top scorer with 260 goals for the club in all competitions – believes Haaland, supported by the likes of Kevin De Bruyne and Phil Foden, is the ideal man to lead the club into a new era.

"When I left City, I shared how proud I was to have been part of a generation of players that made it one of the top clubs in the world," he added.

"That was a re-foundational period, with many big changes, that allowed City to become a force to be reckoned with.

"I also said it'd be up to a new generation to maintain this status and reach new heights. I think this new team is ready for that. 

"Kevin [De Bruyne] has an amazing record as a player, Haaland is on the right path. But it's not just the two of them. Phil Foden – my own favourite, Bernardo [Silva], [Ilkay] Gundogan, Rodri, [Aymeric] Laporte... each of their contributions make the team stronger."

Manchester United are joining Milan in the chase for midfielder Davide Frattesi, with Sassuolo reportedly willing to cash in on him if their asking price is met.

Frattesi, 23, burst onto the scene this past season after returning from three consecutive loan stints in Serie B, earning 35 league starts before taking a step forward this term with three goals in nine games.

His rapid ascension earned him his first senior international cap for Italy in June, and he has since started in big Nations League fixtures against Germany and England.

There was a belief he could leave the club this past transfer window, when Sassuolo also sold Gianluca Scamacca to West Ham, but his continued improvement means he could be gone in January.

TOP STORY – UNITED PONDER MOVE FOR SASSUOLO'S FRATTESI

According to Calciomercato, United sent scouts to Sassuolo to get a closer look at the six-foot tall midfielder, and were told he could be available for a price of €35million.

United may find that a bit rich after recent reports their financial position will only allow them to make a move for one of Jude Bellingham or Frenkie de Jong, but they could receive a cash injection of their own if they are to part ways with 23-year-old defender Diogo Dalot. Calciomercato also claims Dalot wishes to leave the club, and Juventus have a strong interest in him. 

Frattesi's contract ties him to the Serie A side until 2026, giving them all the leverage in the negotiation, and with Milan's interest already established, that price tag may not be an unreasonable demand.

ROUND-UP

– Gazzetta dello Sport are reporting Juventus are preparing a January move for Lazio's Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, who will only have 18 months remaining on his contract.

– After reportedly turning down a bid of €60m from Paris Saint-Germain in the most recent transfer window, Tuttosport now claims Inter will accept a bid in the range of €25m for centre-back Milan Skriniar in January, with his contract set to expire at the end of the season.

– Sky Sport's Florian Plettenberg believes PSV forward Cody Gakpo has no interest in joining Leeds United, who are said to have launched a move for him on deadline day, and will instead hold out for a bigger move.

– According to Record, Tottenham are keen on signing 21-year-old Sporting midfielder Manuel Ugarte, although his price is believed to be set at €80m.

– The Athletic are reporting Erling Haaland has a €200m release clause in his Manchester City contract that can be activated by any team outside of England as soon as 2024.

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola is looking forward to Sunday's trip to Anfield to take on Liverpool, allowing some key players to rest during Tuesday's 0-0 Champions League draw against FC Copenhagen.

City were bright early and had chances to take the lead, with a disallowed goal in the 11th minute and a saved penalty from Riyad Mahrez in the 25th, before Sergio Gomez was shown a straight red card that changed the game.

After controlling 66 per cent of the possession in a comfortable first half, that figure dipped to 46 per cent after the break as Copenhagen found a foothold into the game and fought hard for their point.

Speaking after the match, where star striker Erling Haaland was rested and starting midfielders Phil Foden and Bernardo Silva were only used as late substitutes, Guardiola said the compressed schedule with multiple games per week had finally started to catch up to some players.

"Many players didn’t start today because they were really, really, exhausted, tired and fatigued and had some niggles," he said.

"Erling [Haaland] didn’t feel very good after the game against Southampton, Phil [Foden] had some problems, Bernardo [Silva] was so tired yesterday, he told us. 

"The players, they feel better and I of course, didn’t want to take a risk. Of course, it was so important, but when we have nine points already in our pocket, we need one more game to qualify mathematically, ok we took one point, we played for that and we started really well. 

"We cannot deny how well we played for the first minutes, knowing that it’s difficult. Their defence is so deep and well-organised and after that, those situations, the goal disallowed, the penalty, the sending off, the game changed, especially playing almost for an hour 10 against 11."

When asked if this is a perfect time to face Liverpool – coming off a loss to Arsenal and with one fewer day of rest after they play Rangers on Wednesday – Guardiola said form goes out the window in fixtures this big.

"It’s the scale of the fixture when you have to go to Anfield," he said. "It’s not about how you arrive, good or bad, you have to perform every time. 

"We have four days [to prepare] – we travel right now, tomorrow we have regeneration, one day off, clear our minds, because for one or two weeks we’ve not had a day off with a game every three days, and after that we’ll prepare the game against Liverpool."

Pep Guardiola turned his attention to winning Champions League Group G when Manchester City face Borussia Dortmund after a goalless draw at Copenhagen.

Sergio Gomez was sent off for a professional foul on Hakon Haraldsson after Riyad Mahrez had a penalty saved by Kamil Grabara in an eventful first half as City's six-match winning run came to an end.

Rodri's rasping long-range strike was disallowed for a Mahrez handball before the Algeria winger failed to convert his spot-kick.

Despite failing to maintain their 100 per cent record, the Premier League champions are nevertheless through to the round of 16 after Sevilla failed to beat Borussia Dortmund later on Wednesday.

Guardiola, who kept Erling Haaland on the bench, was impressed with the way City coped with being a man down and is eager to ensure it is mission accomplished when they take on second-placed Dortmund on October 25.

The City manager told BT Sport: "We started really well with 11, then we had an hour and 10 minutes to hang on.

"With 10 [men] without the ball we were clever, we didn't push much. [It's] a good point."

He added: "Now we have to go to Dortmund to try and secure the first position."

It was a busy first half for referee Artur Dias, who ruled Rodri's goal out following a VAR check before also needing to consult the pitchside monitor to award City a spot-kick and dismiss Gomez.

Rodri said of his disallowed goal: "A bit frustrating, of course. No one realised what is happening, they said it was a handball, I don't know if it was intentional. It was a mess.

"Then we had a penalty, we miss, then the red card and it completely changes the game."

Sergio Gomez was sent off and Riyad Mahrez missed a penalty as Manchester City were held to a goalless draw by Copenhagen in the Champions League.

City knew a win would seal their place in the round of 16 with two games to spare, but they endured a frustrating Tuesday evening at Parken.

Rodri had a goal disallowed for a handball by Riyad Mahrez, who then had a spot-kick saved by Kamil Grabara before Gomez was dismissed for a professional foul in an eventful first half.

Erling Haaland was an unused substitute as City's six-game winning run came to a halt and they lost their 100 per cent Group G record, but they remain on the brink of qualifying for the next stage.

Rodri rifled a thunderous long-range strike into the top-left corner in the 11th minute, but referee Artur Dias ruled the goal out for a Mahrez handball after a being instructed to look at the pitch-side monitor.

Mahrez wasted a chance to make amends from the spot after Nicolai Boilesen was adjudged to have handled following another VAR check, but Grabara dived to his left to deny the winger midway through the first half.

There was another big blow for City on the half-hour mark, when Dias was once again summoned to the touchline and the busy Portuguese official deemed that Gomez had pulled Hakon Haraldsson down to deny him a goalscoring opportunity.

Pep Guardiola's side were dominating possession despite being a man down and Grabara punched away a Kevin De Bruyne strike early in the second half.

Isak Johannesson came agonisingly close to Victor Kristiansen's teasing cross from the left at the other end as Copenhagen scented a famous victory.

Grabara produced more heroics by diving to his right and palming away Joao Cancelo's drive as neither side could fashion a winner.

Kylian Mbappe's future with Paris Saint-Germain has come under scrutiny once again, with reports the French World Cup winner is pushing for an exit in January.

The 23-year-old signed a new three-year deal with PSG prior to the 2022-23 season, when he could have left the club on a free transfer, and made him the highest-earner in world football.

Just months after bringing the saga to a close, however, a new chapter in Mbappe's story looks to be opened, as his relationship with PSG is said to have broken down.

The list of clubs who could land Mbappe is a very small one, with PSG understandably ready to demand a world-record fee for his services, and Stats Perform has looked at his options.

Real Madrid

The frontrunners for Mbappe's services before he penned a new deal with PSG, Real Madrid will be firmly established as favourites for the France international should he be available – although securing a deal with the Ligue 1 champions will be difficult.

Madrid have a frosty relationship with their French counterparts, who were not included in the European Super League plans, still supported by Real's Florentino Perez, while LaLiga announced intentions to sue PSG after the European champions' approaches for Mbappe in the last transfer window fell flat.

Mbappe, meanwhile, is still reported to aspire to play for Madrid and will hope that player power triumphs, with any move adding to the strong French contingent currently on display in the Spanish capital.

The Santiago Bernabeu is already the home of Ferland Mendy, Eduardo Camavinga, Aurelien Tchouameni and Karim Benzema, to whom Mbappe would be a natural successor.

Liverpool

First linked with Liverpool three years ago, the Reds are reported to have explored the option of landing Mbappe had he become available for free.

Jurgen Klopp's side had little chance of such a deal, with Madrid the player's preferred option, but the sour relationship between the Spanish side and PSG may provide a boost to any hopes of the Frenchman arriving at Anfield.

Liverpool saw Sadio Mane depart for Bayern Munich and Roberto Firmino looks set to leave when his contract expires in 2023, while Mohamed Salah has struggled for form since penning a lucrative three-year deal in July.

A poor start to the season has seen Liverpool win just two of their opening eight matches, with the Reds already 14 points adrift of leaders Arsenal, while rivals Manchester City, who Liverpool have fought relentlessly in recent seasons, are enjoying the fruits of Erling Haaland's labour – so landing Mbappe could be the ideal response.

Chelsea

Todd Boehly's multi-billion-pound takeover prior to the start of the 2022-23 season saw a wealth of new additions, while a swift managerial change after a slow start led to Graham Potter arriving to lead the side.

It's no secret that the American owner is keen for a star addition to the squad, with Cristiano Ronaldo heavily touted for a move to Stamford Bridge from Manchester United. While that ultimately did not happen, Mbappe could be the answer to Boehly's prayers.

Landing Mbappe, arguably the biggest name in world football beyond Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, would represent a major coup and would also be a big hit with club sponsors Nike, who also have Mbappe among their list of clientele.

Chelsea's recent success in the Champions League would be appealing to Mbappe, who is yet to win Europe's elite competition, and a switch to the Blues could be the ideal fit for all parties.

Manchester City

City already have their mega-star well established in the side with Haaland but could an opportunity to partner him with Mbappe and boast a striking partnership that strikes fear into world football really be turned down?

Despite City's domestic dominance under Pep Guardiola, a Champions League title is yet to arrive at the club and Mbappe could get them over the line – particularly with Haaland already making his mark.

Few managers in world football have the pull that Guardiola does and Mbappe may feel he has not had the opportunity to work under an elite boss, with PSG's merry-go-round in the dugout yet to include a bona fide managerial great.

PSG would have no concerns that City do not have the money to secure such a transfer, with the Premier League side perhaps the only one in world football who undoubtedly have the full financial power to pull off a record-breaking move.

Erling Haaland was named among Manchester City's substitutes for Tuesday's Champions League tie against Copenhagen in a rare rest for the prolific striker ahead of next weekend's showdown with Liverpool.

The Norway international had started all 13 of City's matches since joining from Borussia Dortmund in the close season, scoring a remarkable 20 goals and breaking a number of records along the way.

However, Pep Guardiola left Haaland out of his starting line-up to face Copenhagen as one of five changes from the 4-0 win over Southampton at the weekend.

Julian Alvarez was brought into the side to lead the attack – just his third start of the season – while  Aymeric Laporte, Sergio Gomez, Ilkay Gundogan and Jack Grealish were also recalled.

Nathan Ake, Ruben Dias, Phil Foden and Bernardo Silva joined Haaland in dropping to the bench at the Parken Stadium, with City operating in a 4-3-3 formation.

City entered the match in the Danish capital knowing a fourth win out of four in Group G would send them through to the knockout phase with two matches to spare.

Guardiola's men turn focus back to Premier League matters on Sunday with a trip to out-of-form Liverpool, who have been their perennial rivals for the title over the past four years.

Copenhagen XI: Grabara; Lund, Khocholava, Boilesen; Jelert, Stamenic, Lerager, Kristiansen; Claesson, Haraldsson, Daramy.
Subs: Johnsson, Ryan, Diks, Sorensen, Johanneson, Mukairu, Ankersen, Clem, Roony.

Manchester City XI: Ederson; Cancelo, Akanji, Laporte, Gomez; Rodrigo, Gundogan (c), De Bruyne; Mahrez, Grealish, Alvarez.
Subs: Ortega Moreno, Carson, Dias, Ake, Haaland, Silva, Foden, Palmer, Lewis, Wilson-Esbrand.

Real Madrid great Raul ranks Clasico rivals Karim Benzema and Robert Lewandowski alongside Erling Haaland as the best strikers in world football.

And with the campaign's first meeting between Madrid and Barcelona coming on Sunday, Raul hopes Benzema will outdo Lewandowski at the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday.

Madrid and Barca are level on 22 points in LaLiga after eight matches, with an enthralling title race seemingly in store after Los Blancos triumphed by 13 points last term. 

The arrival of Lewandowski has been key to Barca's re-emergence, with the Poland international scoring nine times in his first eight outings in LaLiga.  

Lewandowski's ominous start to life in Spain suggests he is likely to surpass Benzema's league-high tally of 27 league goals from last season.

Raul is full of admiration for both players, ranking them alongside Haaland – the leading scorer in Europe's top five leagues with 20 goals already to his name for Manchester City – but naturally Madrid talisman Benzema will get the 45-year-old's backing.

"They are possibly the best strikers, with Haaland. They are the ones who have the most scoring ability and contribute the most to their teams," said Raul, who is now head coach of Real Madrid Castilla.

"Lewandowski is a great signing for LaLiga, he is showing his quality. But I hope that the battle of scorers on Sunday will be won by Benzema.

"I see it as a very exciting game, as always. They both arrive with the same points. It's too early [to judge], because it's in October. Whoever wins will be able to come out stronger mentally. 

"It will be a very demanding game and Madrid, playing at home and being with their people, have a bit of favouritism."

Benzema overtook Raul to go second in Madrid's all-time scoring charts in August, though his tally of 327 goals remains some way short of Cristiano Ronaldo's record haul (450). 

Meanwhile, Raul's 15 goals in meetings between Madrid and Barcelona has only been bettered by three players – Lionel Messi (26), Alfredo Di Stefano and Ronaldo (both 18).

With Raul cutting his coaching teeth in Madrid's youth system, his ambition is to take charge of the senior side in a future Clasico.

He added: "I would like to, but now I am very happy where I am, working with my boys. 

"I am happy and I am going to enjoy it as a fan, wanting us to achieve those three points that will not define anything, but will give more confidence and morale to the winner."

Both teams have Champions League fixtures to focus on before Sunday's meeting, with Madrid facing Shakhtar Donetsk on Tuesday before Xavi's men host Inter the following day.

Tottenham striker Harry Kane "must be sick" of seeing Erling Haaland regularly break goal records at Manchester City, according to Rio Ferdinand.

Haaland, who joined from Borussia Dortmund in June, made it 20 goals in just 13 appearances for City with his strike against Southampton on Saturday.

The Norway international has scored 15 of those goals in the Premier League, which is seven more than next-best Kane, who has himself made a fast start to the season.

However, it would have been Kane leading the line for City had Pep Guardiola's side been able to reach an agreement with Tottenham for his services last year.

City instead held out for 12 months to sign Haaland from Dortmund, and Ferdinand says the 22-year-old's form must be galling for Kane.

"If I were City before Haaland came, I would have taken Kane," Ferdinand said on the FIVE podcast on his YouTube channel. 

"Kane's a goalscorer, he's a killer, as cold as you get. In any era he scores goals. I think he would have been brilliant at Man City. 

"If I'm him, I'm absolutely puking up in my own mouth and trying not to swallow it when I'm watching Haaland now. I'm thinking that could have been me."

Haaland's 15 goals is four more than any other player after nine matches in Premier League's history, followed by Mick Quinn (11 with Coventry City in the 1992-93 season).

He is scoring at a rate of one goal every 50 minutes – again a competition record among those to have scored at least 10 times. 

City great Sergio Aguero is next on the list with a goal every 108 minutes, while Kane's 191 goals in 291 appearances (127 mins per goal) places him a respectable fifth.

Guardiola suggested in February that City made four separate attempts to sign Kane, but they were unable to meet Tottenham's reported £150million asking price.

"That was a moment for Harry Kane to go and say 'what I've done at Tottenham can never be discredited, it's my home, it's my place of love'," Ferdinand said. 

"No one would have been disgruntled if he went to City. It was there for the taking. I don't know how it happened from all parties. He must be sick.

"If I'm Kane I'm sitting there going wild. I know he could end up with a trophy this year. 

"But sitting watching he'll be like 'look at what City are doing right now and Haaland is just eating people. I could have been the guy on the end of all those chances'."