Pep Guardiola to make last-minute call on Erling Haaland for Liverpool clash as Manchester City look to start pursuit of leaders Arsenal as season enters crucial phase
- Erling Haaland is a major fitness concern for Manchester City ahead of the game
- The Norwegian has been suffering with a groin issue and could sit it out
- Pep Guardiola will make a last-minute call on his star striker's fitness
Pep Guardiola will make a last-minute decision on Erling Haaland's fitness before Manchester City face Liverpool on Saturday.
Haaland picked up a groin injury during the FA Cup victory over Burnley and was not deemed ready to feature for Norway over the international break.
The 22-year-old went to Barcelona for checks on the issue before undergoing rehabilitation work in Marbella with sports therapist Mario Pafundi.
Haaland returned to the North West earlier in the week and has been doing individual work, with Guardiola leaving it late for the 42-goal striker to prove his fitness.
'I spoke to him and he feels good,' Guardiola said. 'But we'll see what happens, life is risks in these stages and you have to take it [a decision]. The doctors, and especially the player, will decide.
Pep Guardiola has revealed he will make a last-minute decision on whether Erling Haaland plays
The striker has been suffering from a groin problem and has barely trained since last playing
'This international break is always tough to understand, how in this moment - when you play for everything - that it is 10 days when the players are away.
'All of the big clubs have this problem. Hopefully [facing] Liverpool, a rival, can help us connect immediately.'
Phil Foden will be out for another 'two to three weeks' after surgery to remove his appendix, according to Guardiola, who talked up Julian Alvarez's form with the Argentine ready to deputise should Haaland not make Saturday's clash.
This fixture is usually defining in the title race but Liverpool have dropped off this season and Guardiola warned his players that City are not exempt from a poor campaign.
'Liverpool remain an exceptional team,' he added. 'They can beat everyone, like we can beat everyone. What happened to them this season or another case, Chelsea, can happen to us absolutely.
Guardiola has offered a warning that his side too could face a dip like Liverpool have done
'When it happens, accept the storm and always tomorrow the sun rises. The only thing I believe in is don't complain, find solutions and try to avoid it.
'You have to qualify for the Champions League every season. We are the only team in England to do it in the last decade but it can happen. Still I'm waiting, the champagne is in the fridge for the moment we qualify for the Champions League next season.'
Arsenal are eight points clear at the Premier League's summit having played a game more and Guardiola insisted that his team's experience in tight run-ins counts for nothing.
'The past is the past, experience doesn't count - absolutely nothing,' the Catalan said. 'I absolutely never pay any attention to that - in the good way or a bad way. If people think "I don't have to show anything" - no, you have to, again and again, otherwise you have to retire.'
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