LATEST NEWS: Erling Haaland will receive one final training session to prove his fitness ahead of Man City’s clash with Liverpool as the Norwegian striker battles a groin injury sustained before the international break.
- Erling Haaland has retired from international duty after suffering a groin injury
- The in-form forward can still start against Liverpool at the Etihad Stadium
- Guardiola had high praise for his counterpart in the face of an irregular season
Pep Guardiola will give Erling Haaland every opportunity to show his fitness before Manchester City take on Liverpool on Saturday afternoon.
Haaland suffered a groin injury during the FA Cup win over Burnley and was not considered to be ready to play for Norway during the international break.
The 22-year-old traveled to Barcelona to carry out checks on the matter before undergoing rehabilitation work with sports therapist Mario Pafundi in Marbella.
Haaland returned to the North West earlier in the week and has been doing individual work. Guardiola will make a decision on his availability for Liverpool later today.
“We’ll see today and the doctors, and especially the player, will decide,” Guardiola said. ‘I talked to him, he feels good. Life is risk in these stages, you have to assume it.
Erling Haaland could be fit to start against Liverpool, Guardiola hinted on Friday
The city manager also shared updates on Phil Foden ahead of Saturday’s lunchtime clash.
The England player (centre, with Haaland) had his appendix removed last Sunday
‘We have an incredible medical team, which controls the players perfectly. Mainly we have had the squad ready, but you can have a period with injuries.
‘Overall I’m happy to get to the end of the season with most of the players available. Everyone has to be involved. We have scored a lot of goals this season and he has scored a lot.
City are also without Phil Foden, who underwent surgery to remove his appendix while away from England.
The doctors tell me it will be two or three weeks. We will see how he evolves after his surgery,” Guardiola added.
The striker is in top form for his club and will be a danger for Liverpool
Despite Liverpool’s inconsistency this season, Guardiola remains impressed by Jurgen Klopp
The defending Premier League champions are eight points behind leaders Arsenal with one game to go, and Guardiola refuses to take Liverpool lightly despite their struggles this season.
“We have known each other for many years,” he said. ‘They continue to be an exceptional team. My opinion does not change. They can beat everyone, just like we can beat everyone.
‘Each club can have ups and downs. Winning the Champions League… nothing changes. This season we have another rival but Liverpool will always be a great rival.
‘We are fighting in all competitions. That’s incredible. That is so good. Maintaining it for 11 months is very difficult. We are still there. In the Premier League there is a team that is very far behind us in terms of points and we’ll see.