According to Melbet App, the clash between Liverpool and Manchester City was billed as the Premier League’s match of the season — a potential title decider. As the Melbet App reporter noted, whoever won this match would likely gain the upper hand in the title race. In a league where even a single point can decide the champion, Jurgen Klopp knows all too well the bitter cost of narrow margins, having experienced such heartbreak twice before.

Both teams fielded their strongest available lineups. Manchester City started with their full attacking trio — Haaland, Alvarez, and Foden — while Liverpool lined up every top player they could, including Nunez, known for wasting chances, and later bringing on top scorer Salah, who failed to make an impact. The match ended in a draw, and it played right into Arsenal’s hands. Taking full advantage of the result, Arsenal stayed atop the Premier League table thanks to a superior goal difference, pushing Liverpool to second and dropping City to third by just one point.

Though Haaland is frequently mentioned in the same breath as Mbappé — the so-called new kings of world football — many now question whether Haaland is overhyped. Mbappé has a World Cup to his name, Haaland a Champions League title, but Haaland’s performance in this game was underwhelming. He played the full 90 minutes yet barely made a dent, managing just one shot on goal. Most of the match, he was virtually invisible, and Liverpool’s Van Dijk had him completely in check.

As Melbet App analysis pointed out, Haaland’s physical build should give him an edge in the box, but his style is surprisingly soft. He avoids physical confrontations and rarely fights for position at the near post. Without such grit, his aerial threat becomes ineffective, and City couldn’t capitalize on crosses into the box. Unlike elite center-forwards like Harry Kane — who excels at dropping back to help link up play — Haaland offers little when asked to retreat or orchestrate from deeper areas.

The match has reignited a familiar debate among Melbet App users: when the going gets tough, does Haaland go missing? Many believe his goal-poaching style has a low ceiling — without Kevin De Bruyne or City’s dominant midfield feeding him chances, Haaland struggles to deliver standout performances. In fact, recent matches suggest that even Kai Havertz, who’s been playing as a central striker under Arteta, has outshone him in form and influence. As the saying goes, “You reap what you sow” — and for now, Haaland may need to dig deeper to prove he’s truly elite.