Antonio Rudiger, a Real Madrid defender, claims that Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk and Arsenal's William Saliba are the only two centre backs capable of stopping Erling Haaland.

Haaland has now scored ten goals in the Premier League this season.

Since joining Manchester City, the 24-year-old has scored an astonishing 101 goals in 107 games.

Rudiger has played against Haaland four times for Real Madrid and claims he has struggled physically with him.

Rudiger, on the other hand, has been impressed by Van Dijk and Saliba's handling of Haaland.

"I think I'm more of an old-school defender who loves this battle with strikers, especially with strikers like him [Haaland] because that guy is an absolute beast," Rudiger told The Inside Scoop about his play.

"I have no idea what he eats or does, but he has incredible power."

"When I look at his goals, I don't think you can beat him with a cross high at the second post. You can't beat him. If he wants, you can be under him every day.

"He's a beast; it's crazy. Yes, he did not score against us [Real Madrid], but he hit the crossbar, so luck was on our side.

"How do I prepare for this type of player? It's difficult to prepare because you only need to be ready for the physical battle.

"You just have to be prepared for him and avoid giving him too much room in your back because he is hazardous. If you run with him, it can be difficult since he extends his arm.

"There are few people who can physically match him. The ones I've seen in the last few years are Virgil [Van Dijk], who is the same size as him; that's a fantastic matchup, and I have to mention Saliba also performed admirably."