Pep Guardiola hopeful of rapid Erling Haaland return after Manchester City striker missed Liverpool clash

Pep Guardiola says Manchester City’s top scorer Erling Haaland is feeling ‘much better’ as he nears a return from injury, but the striker wasn’t ready to be risked against Liverpool. The Norway international suffered a groin issue before the international break and was forced to withdraw from his country’s Euro 2024 qualifiers before being left out of Guardiola’s squad for Saturday’s crunch Premier League clash. Ad His absence in a high-stakes game was a big blow for City, as the 22-year-old has scored 28 goals in 26 Premier League games this season, but Guardiola offered assurances that he will be back on the pitch soon.

Premier LeagueGuardiola considers 'risk' of starting Haaland against Liverpool despite recent injury21 HOURS AGO “He is much, much better, but not fully fit for today," Guardiola told BT Sport. «He didn’t feel good. With thought, we said ‘no risk’ “During the season you have these types of problems, with injuries.

The only (thing) we can do is complain but we have never done it. So now the other players are going to play.” Julian Alvarez started in Haaland’s place at the Etihad, but there are other problems in the City squad, with Phil Foden out following appendix surgery and Bernardo Silva struggling with illness. Manchester City v Liverpool — Premier League LIVE Foden misses Ukraine match after appendix surgery, City confirm absence for Liverpool “Bernardo has a stomach virus after his Portugal trip.

(He was) training just yesterday. I spoke with him and he’s not able to play 90 minutes, he didn’t feel it,” Guardiola added. City trail league leaders Arsenal by eight points and can’t afford many more slip-ups in the title race.