Striking differences in Liverpool and Man City's big-money deals for Nunez and Haaland

While the Norwegian's wages are said to be around £375,000 a week, the Uruguayan was lured for around £140,000, highlighting the clubs' very different pay strategies

DARWIN NUNEZ AND ERLING HAALAND'S BIG-MONEY MOVES TO PREMIER LEAGUE: Benfica's Darwin Nunez celebrates after scoring his side's goal in the 3-1 Champions League quarter-final, first-leg defeat against Liverpool in Lisbon on April 5, 2022. The Uruguayan striker has now completed a move to Liverpool expected to be worth around £85m. AP Photo

Norway's Erling Haaland celebrates after scoring their second goal in a 3-2 win against Sweden in the Uefa Nations League on June 12, 2022. Haaland has completed an £85m switch to Manchester City. Reuters

Benfica's Darwin Nunez in action during their Champions League quarter-final, second-leg 3-3 draw against Liverpool at Anfield on April 13, 2022. Nunez scored an 82nd-minute equaliser. PA

Erling Haaland scores for Norway in their Nations League win over Sweden in Oslo, on June 12, 2022. EPA

Benfica's Darwin Nunez battles with Porto's Pepe in a Portuguese Primeira Liga game on May 7, 2022. EPA

Norway's Erling Haaland celebrates after scoring against Sweden in the UEFA Nations League on June 12, 2022. EPA

Benfica's Darwin Nunez after scoring against Belenenses on Lisbon in April, 2022. AFP

Erling Haaland of Dortmund acknowledges the fans before the Bundesliga match against Hertha Berlin on May 14, 2022. Getty

Benfica's Darwin Nunez scores a disallowed goal during the Champions League quarter-final, second leg against Liverpool at Anfield on April 13, 2022. PA

Borussia Dortmund's Erling Haaland celebrates scoring in the Bundesliga match against Hertha Berlin on May 14, 2022. PA

With England’s two best teams having simultaneously decided to finally bring in out-and-out No 9s, it was perhaps inevitable that direct comparisons would be drawn between the deals.

Liverpool and Manchester City have broken with tradition by signing Darwin Nunez and Erling Haaland to lead the line after building their recent successes on strikerless systems.

And it has not gone unnoticed that the two clubs are both likely to end up shelling out between £85-100 million for their new centre-forwards once add-ons and agent fees are factored in.

In truth, though, any similarity between the transfers ends there, with Haaland’s reported wage packet of £375,000 a week inflating City’s overall outlay in the years ahead.

Meanwhile, the fact that Liverpool have secured Nunez on a contract understood to be worth £140,000 a week serves as a particularly handy encapsulation of the club’s current transfer strategy.

Liverpool's preference for striking high-fee, relatively low-wage deals was evident in the recent signings of Ibrahima Konate and Luis Diaz, both of whom played a key role in last season’s quadruple near-miss.

It would also have underpinned one of the biggest deals of last summer had the Reds won their last battle with Manchester United for the signature of a coveted forward.

Liverpool's season's ratings - in pictures

MANAGER: Jurgen Klopp – 9. A year ago the manager looked a broken man. Personal and professional problems made 2020/21 a difficult campaign. Last season he recovered his bounce and his deployment of the squad while competing on four fronts was superb. The added bonus for the Kop is he has extended his contract until 2026. A triumph of a year, even if the two biggest trophies got away from him. Getty Images

GOALKEEPERS: Alisson Becker – 9. The Brazilian is among the best in the world at his position. His shotstopping is magnificent – especially one-on-one – and his distribution is excellent. He managed the defence with aplomb, too, directing those in front of him. A key component in the team. EPA

Caoimhin Kelleher ¬– 7. The Irishman did not get much playing time but he made the most of it when he did. His biggest moment came in the League Cup final against Chelsea when he made two crucial saves and scored a penalty in the shoot-out. The most reliable of backups. PA

DEFENDERS: Trent Alexander-Arnold – 8. The 23-year-old was again the creative hub of the team. His forward play and his crossing are vital to the way the side plays. Sure, he had some tricky moments defensively when opponents managed to exploit the space behind him, but it was a risk worth taking. He oozed class. Getty Images

Joe Gomez – 6. The 25-year-old dropped down the pecking order at centre-half after returning from long-term injury. On the plus side, he was impressive when filling in at right-back. He has done well enough to likely earn a contract extension. Reuters

Joel Matip – 8. One of the big question marks over the 30-year-old had been his robustness. Injuries were not a factor last season. His use of space, quickness and his ability to bring the ball out from the back were outstanding. It bodes well for the future. Reuters

Ibrahima Konate – 7. The Frenchman is a work in progress but he made significant advances in the season. He is sometimes skittish on the ball but improved with every outing – his best game was the Champions League final. His physicality is impressive and he was a threat in the opposition box. At just 23 he has massive room for improvement. PA

Virgil van Dijk – 8. It took a while for the Dutchman to return to his imperious best after returning from a cruciate ligament injury. He regained his stature as the season progressed. His commanding presence was vital to the team’s success. PA

Andrew Robertson – 8. The Scot’s boundless energy and his will to win were evident in every game he played. His crossing added a huge amount of threat to the Liverpool attack. He was one of the major figures in the side. AP Photo

Kostas Tsimikas – 7. They love the Greek at Anfield and every time he appeared in place of Robertson the crowd loved his approach. There was very little drop-off on the left side when the 26-year-old was involved. Reuters

MIDFIELDERS: Jordan Henderson – 7. The captain’s workrate and willingness to subvert his own game to help his teammates remained impressive. He might have slowed down a little at 31 but his experience more than made up for any reduction in pace. His leadership showed throughout the campaign. EPA

Fabinho – 8. The Brazilian is the man who seizes control of the midfield. His contribution was enormous and he supplied the platform from which the team could play. The defence were frequently grateful for his protective tackling. AP Photo

Thiago Alcantara – 9. At the beginning of the season some were still asking whether the 31-year-old was the right fit for Liverpool. Those questions have long been put to bed. His passing was often wonderful; his pressing remarkably effective. A standout campaign. EPA

Naby Keita – 6. The Guinean had moments when he looked brilliant and other games where he needed to offer more. He did not produce the consistency that the team needed over the season but a good finish to the campaign earned him a positive rating. EPA

James Milner – 7. The 36-year-old did everything asked of him. Much of that meant coming off the bench to help see games to their conclusion but the veteran put everything into every performance. Mr Reliable. AFP

Curtis Jones – 6. The 21-year-old didn’t develop quite as quickly as he might have hoped but that was due to an eye injury and the strength of the squad. He showed enough quality to be optimistic for the future. EPA

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain – 4. It was not a good season for the 28-year-old. His opportunities were limited and when the chances to play came along he rarely shone. With so many impressive performers, he found himself at the back of the queue and a summer exit seems inevitable. AP Photo

FORWARDS: Mohamed Salah – 9. The Egyptian remained the best attacker in the Premier League and perhaps the world. Even after taking a month off to play in the Africa Cup of Nations, he won the Golden Boot with 23 league goals. Defences were visibly unnerved by his presence. EPA

Roberto Firmino – 7. The Brazilian dropped down the pecking order but that was because of the abundance of attacking quality rather than his own failings. He was sometimes overshadowed by his teammates but his clever movement and touches frequently improved the side. AP Photo

Sadio Mane – 8. The Senegalese menaced defences. At times his competitive instincts meant he came close to overstepping the mark but he mainly stayed on the right side of the line. He will be sorely missed when he leaves Anfield this summer. Reuters

Diogo Jota – 7. The Portuguese maintained his fine form throughout the campaign. His direct running at defenders and his poacher’s instinct in the area proved effective. EPA

Luis Diaz – 8. The Colombian has been sensational since arriving from Porto in January. He slotted into the attack as if he had been at Anfield for years. A brilliant buy for the club. AFP

Divock Origi – 6. The Belgian departs Merseyside in a wave of affection. He was never a natural fit for the side’s style but he gave the team a different look and scored vital goals. The striker showed total commitment every time he played. PA

Takumi Minamino – 6. The Japanese spent most of his time on the bench. He was top scorer in both domestic cup campaigns and never lacked for effort. A move is likely in the summer and he should thrive elsewhere with more playing time. Reuters

Harvey Elliott – 6. The 19-year-old started the season expecting to contribute regularly but a serious ankle injury in September slowed his progress. By the time he came back in February, the dynamics of the team had changed and there were fewer chances for the youngster. There will be plenty of time for him to blossom. EPA

Jadon Sancho had two major admirers at Anfield in manager Jurgen Klopp and his assistant Pep Lijnders, while owners Fenway Sports Group were more than happy to meet Borussia Dortmund’s £73m price tag to secure his signature.

Unfortunately, any potential move was scuppered when the Englishman’s wage expectations became clear, paving the way for him to sign a £270,000-per-week deal at Old Trafford.

Had the 22-year-old been willing to accept half that, then he would have become a Liverpool player; instead the Reds went on to land Diaz and then Nunez, the latter having turned down improved terms at United in order to play Champions League football.

Similar restraint was also shown during this summer’s brief pursuit of a midfielder, which began with the news that long-term target Aurelien Tchouameni would be made available by Monaco.

Plans to bolster central midfield would have been brought forward a year to land the Frenchman, but it quickly became apparent that he would be able to secure £300,000 a week from Real Madrid as they flexed their financial might after failing to land Kylian Mbappe.

That resulted in Liverpool’s early withdrawal from the race, and a reversion to their plan to sign a midfielder next summer, when that position will be sporting director Julian Ward’s first priority.

As was the case with Nunez, the aim then will be to target a player around their early 20s with an impressive athletic profile and, while a big fee would not be an obstacle, excessive wages would.

The latter could well be a sticking point when it comes to the much-admired Jude Bellingham, given the wider interest in his signature, which is why there is some pessimism at Liverpool over their chances of landing him, and why others are being watched closely.

Manchester City season's ratings - in pictures

GOALKEEPERS: Ederson 8 - Won the coveted Premier League Golden Glove award after keeping 20 clean sheets this season. In a team full of pass masters, the Brazilian can hold his own against any of his outfield teammates. AP Photo

Zack Steffen 5 - Usually an able deputy but his mistake against Liverpool in the FA Cup semi-final cost City the chance of a league-and-cup double. EPA

DEFENDERS: Kyle Walker 8 - A one-man flank down City's right. Few posses the Englishman's pace and powers of recovery. His distribution has improved this campaign too. AFP

Ruben Dias 6 - Failed to match last season's achievements when he was named player of the season. Found himself in and out of the side. AFP

John Stones 7 - Showed his versatility by filling in at right-back on occasion and another solid season ends with a Premier League winner's medal. Getty Images

Nathan Ake 6 - A much-improved season though still struggling to nail down a first-team place. Always committed and gives his all. AFP

Oleksandr Zinchenko 7 - Emotional scenes at the Etihad as the Ukrainian draped his country's flag around the Premier League trophy. Underrated player who never grumbles about filling in at left-back despite being a midfielder by trade. Getty Images

Aymeric Laporte 8 - After playing second fiddle to Dias last season, the Spaniard has re-emerged as one of the best centre-backs in the league this term. Reuters

Joao Cancelo 9 - The Portuguese almost seems wasted at left-back, such is his passing ability and knack for supplying teammates during his forays forward. City's player of the season, for me. AFP

MIDFIELDERS: Ilkay Gundogan 8 - When it looked as though the title was lost on the final day, the German midfielder came off the bench to drag City over the line with two of the most important goals of his career. Another excellent campaign. AFP

Jack Grealish 6 - Hard to say the Englishman has justified his £100 million price tag, or that he has necessarily made City a better team. AFP

Rodri 8 - The Spanish metronome just keeps City ticking. Popped up with some crucial goals as City won a fourth Premier League title in five seasons. AFP

Kevin de Bruyne 9 - Another standout campaign from the brilliant Belgian. Fifteen-goals - including four in one match against Wolves - and eight assists despite missing eight league games. Will undoubtedly get a statue at the Etihad alongside Aguero, Kompany and Silva when he does call it a day. Getty Images

Bernardo Silva 8 - The one player Guardiola can give any assignment to - whether at the base, on the wing or as a False 9 - knowing he will excel in that role. Getty Images

Fernandinho 6 - Took Guardiola by surprise when he announced he will leave the club this summer. Second fiddle to Rodri now, but what a loyal servant the Brazilian has been. Getty Images

Phil Foden 8 - Few players have the poise and grace of Foden. One of those players that can run with ball full speed. An absolute nightmare for defenders. Getty Images

Cole Palmer 5 - No shame in finding minutes hard to come by with City's galaxy of midfield stars ahead of him. Getty Images

Raheem Sterling 7 - A bit of a mixed bag for the English forward. A healthy goal return of 13 in the league but has looked leggy, with perhaps tiredness a factor having helped England reach the Euro 2020 final last summer. Getty Images

Riyad Mahrez 7 - A hint of friction with his manager at times this season and has not always been first choice. Still contributed 11 league goals to City's victorious Premier League campaign. Getty Images

Gabriel Jesus 7 - With record-scorer Sergio Aguero departing last summer, the scene looked set for the Brazilian to establish himself as undisputed first choice. That didn't happen, but Jesus is a workhorse whom Guardiola seems to love. Half of his eight league goals came in a single match against Watford. Getty Images

MANAGER: Pep Guardiola 8 - Kept his troops focussed even when momentum looked to have shifted Liverpool's way. Will go down as one of the greatest managers in Premier League history. AP

The Merseyside club are determined to ensure that, unless they arrive as one of the best in the world in their position, new signings should not start out at the higher end of the wage bill.

And it is for this reason that, among the club’s top earners, only Thiago Alcantara is in the midst of his first contract at Anfield.

There will be no stopgaps brought in if these game-changing signings can’t be secured, either, which is why Liverpool are willing to pass on deals for the likes of Youri Tielemans, Kalvin Phillips and Yves Bissouma this summer, all of which they considered relatively easy to complete.

This insistence that the biggest contracts are only to be handed out to those who have already achieved success at Anfield does at least offer hope to fans keen to see Mohamed Salah extend his stay.

While it is understood that negotiations over the Egyptian’s deal are now likely to bleed into the start of next season, there is no cap created by Virgil van Dijk’s current status as the club’s top-earner and hope of a compromise persists.

But, no matter what the outcome of those talks are, Liverpool are unlikely to veer from the disciplined approach to wages that has brought so much rewards in recent years.