Guardiola gives his Haaland verdict ahead of crunch Liverpool clash

Pep Guardiola does not rule Erling Haaland out of the Liverpool clash

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has not ruled out striker Erling Haaland from the game against Liverpool on Saturday.

A day ago, Evening Standard reported that the Norwegian star was not involved in the training, casting doubt over his availability for the weekend.

The former Borussia Dortmund marksman pulled out from the national team squad two weeks ago due to a groin issue.

Here’s what Guardiola said when asked about the fitness update of the 22-year-old (h/t Sky Sports):

“We’ll see this [Friday] afternoon, the last training is at 4pm.

“We’ll see today and at the end, the doctors and especially the players will decide how does he feel. I spoke with him and he feels good. We will see what happens.”

It is typical of Pep this, keeping us and the opposition guessing till the last moment whether one of his star players will be available for the big game or not.

One can imagine that Jurgen Klopp will prepare his Liverpool side in accordance that Haaland will start. If he doesn’t, City still have a World Cup-winning striker in Edson Alvarez with them.

After two-and-a-half weeks of no football for the Reds, they have three very big ones in the next eight days, starting from the City game at the Etihad on Saturday.

If we have to finish in the top four, not losing this weekend is the least that needs to be done ahead of the clashes against Chelsea and Arsenal.

Guardiola’s men definitely start as favourites because they are at home and Liverpool’s form just before the international dipped once again.

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Has the break done any good to Klopp and his coaching staff? Can he muster a great week for us to build on for the final stretch of the season? We can only hope so. The German has a track record of doing well when the back is against the wall. This is that kind of situation.