The Daily Observer London Desk: Reporter- Judith Benjamin
Erling Haaland does not feature in today’s game for Manchester City against Liverpool.
The 22-year-old Norwegian was a doubt for Saturday’s fixture, after withdrawing from international qualifiers with a groin problem.
Haaland has scored 42 goals across all competitions this season, breaking records with his ability to find the net.
On Friday, Man City boss Pep Guardiola told reporters that after speaking to Haaland, he ‘feels good’, but the matter of selection would be postponed until the last moment.
It followed reports that the striker would be given one final training session to prove his fitness ahead of the Liverpool match.
Erling Haaland is not involved in Man City’s game against Liverpool at the Etihad this afternoon
Pep Guardiola had previously told reporters Haaland ‘feels good’ despite a groin problem
It’s clear that the last-minute evaluation left Guardiola no choice but to leave Haaland out of the north-west clash, as an 11 was named without the star. Bernardo Silva is also absent from the team, while Phil Foden’s issue sounds like a long-term problem.
Guardiola spoke to BT Sport ahead of the game. On the subject of Erling Haaland, he said: ‘He is not fit. He doesn’t feel proper. It is not a big issue but today he was not right.’
Guardiola added: ‘Bernardo Silva is not fully ready to play today, Haaland did not feel well after the Burnley match and Foden will undergo surgery. Injuries happen all season.’
Riyad Mahrez and Julian Alvarez are named up front with Jack Grealish.
Jurgen Klopp’s team reads like an expected line-up, as the Reds try to get one over on Man City as the final stretch of their league campaign begins.
Manchester City versus Liverpool has turned into an intense rivalry over recent seasons, with both teams usually fighting for the top spot of the Premier League. Liverpool won the 2019-20 season, but Man City have won the other four of the last five top-flight campaigns.
