Erling Haaland vs Mo Salah ‘football’s equivalent of the Rumble in the Jungle’

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    It could well become one of those shoot-outs for the ages.

    Football's equivalent of the 'Rumble in the Jungle' or 'Duel in the Sun' – albeit in Liverpool in October! OK, so there might not be the steaming heat of Kinshasa in 1974, or even the sunshine of Turnberry three years later.

    But when Erling Haaland and Mo Salah head into battle on opposite sides this weekend, it's safe to assume the temperature inside Anfield will be unseasonably hot. Liverpool versus Manchester City has become the great rivalry of modern times in the Premier League.

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    These two have set the bar so high with a level of football rarely seen on these shores. All the rest have been left looking up at the two of them in absolute awe. But now this colossal contest has a new dimension to it – one which promises to be one of those classic head-to-heads between the Norse god and the Egyptian king.

    Salah has spent the past few seasons ruling English football with his lightening feet and dazzling skills. The jewel in Liverpool's crown, Salah has plundered 62 goals in the last two seasons and despite standing accused of struggling this time round, has still managed nine more in just 13 appearances.

    Three of these came this week in Liverpool's 7-1 rout of Rangers in Glasgow, when Salah took just six second half minutes to plunder a hat-trick to record the fastest one in Champions League history. Whatever some people accuse Salah of, he continues to reign supreme.

    He's the current 'Player of the Year' and joint-owner of the Golden Boot. But in Haaland, there is now a genuine and undisputed heir to Salah's throne – and the Norwegian sensation is threatening to pull it right from under the backside of his big rival.

    There are still more than two weeks to go before Halloween arrives, but Haaland is starring in the sort of movie that is turning into an absolute horror show for rival teams and defences. The numbers are mind boggling. Almost impossible to fathom.

    Who will come out on top when Liverpool face Manchester City – Salah or Haaland? Let us know in the comments below

    Haaland has helped himself to an astonishing 20 goals in 14 appearances since joining Manchester City from Borussia Dortmund this summer in a £50m deal.

    The statistics include three hat-tricks, equalling the same number of trebles Cristiano Ronaldo has managed in his entire Premier League career. Ronaldo scored the 700th club goal of his career last weekend, but at this rate Haaland will go on to eclipse the Portuguese icon because his standards of finishing beggar belief.

    It takes something special to make a truly great fixture even more mouthwatering. But Haaland and Salah will do just this in a face-off worth the admission fee alone – and then some. These two personify why the Premier League is the most thrilling on the planet.

    And to think neither of them will be gracing the World Cup in Qatar this winter. It feels like an act of treason by international football.

    So whatever team you happen to support, lap up this Super Sunday – because it might prove to be one of the greatest ones of them all.

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    • Erling Haaland
    • Mohamed Salah
    • Liverpool FC
    • Manchester City FC

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