Pep Guardiola Raises Doubts Over Erling Haaland’s Fitness for Liverpool Clash
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has expressed concerns about Erling Haaland’s availability for this weekend’s crucial Premier League match against Liverpool.
Haaland remained on the bench during City’s 3-1 loss to Real Madrid at the Bernabéu, which resulted in their Champions League exit in the new playoff round. His absence from the lineup raised questions, and Guardiola later confirmed that the Norwegian striker is still dealing with discomfort from an injury sustained in City’s recent victory over Newcastle United.
Guardiola’s Update on Haaland’s Condition
Speaking after the match, Guardiola explained:
“Erling attempted to train yesterday following the incident against Newcastle, but he still felt discomfort, even while walking or climbing stairs. We spoke yesterday and again this morning, and he told me he wasn’t ready.”
While acknowledging Haaland’s importance, Guardiola emphasized that injuries are an inevitable part of the season:
“Of course, Erling is crucial for us, but injuries happen. We’ve had to manage similar situations throughout the season.”
Can Manchester City Handle Liverpool Without Haaland?
As one of the world’s most prolific strikers, Haaland’s potential absence would be a major setback for City against an in-form Liverpool side.
The Reds may see this as a prime opportunity to secure a rare win at the Etihad, particularly with City struggling for confidence in what has been an unexpectedly difficult season. Some have even begun questioning whether Guardiola’s squad has reached its peak.
However, Haaland’s absence could force City to adopt a different attacking style, potentially making them more unpredictable. Still, most would argue that having a fully fit Haaland is the best scenario for such a high-stakes clash.
With the match approaching, attention now turns to Guardiola’s next update to see if Haaland will recover in time.
