Erling Haaland has handed Manchester City a major injury concern after asking to be substituted during Norway’s Nations League defeat to Portugal.
The Manchester City striker appeared to be struggling with an injury shortly after the hour mark in Porto, with the forward seen limping before gesturing towards the Norway bench.
Haaland’s request was quickly acknowledged, with Crystal Palace striker Jorgen Strand Larsen introduced as his replacement.
The timing could hardly be worse for City, who are preparing to return to Premier League action with a huge clash against Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday.
Haaland’s condition will now be closely monitored when he returns to Manchester, with City desperate to avoid losing their most important attacking outlet at such a crucial stage of the season.
The Norway captain has been central to City’s perfect start to the Premier League campaign. Pep Guardiola’s side have won all five of their opening league matches and will resume domestic action at the top of the table.
However, the focus has now shifted from their impressive start to Haaland’s fitness.
The 25-year-old had featured for Norway during a demanding international break, with the defeat to Portugal bringing their latest round of international fixtures to an end. His decision to come off will inevitably raise questions over whether he will be ready to face Liverpool.
For City, the prospect of Haaland missing the Anfield showdown would represent a significant blow.
The Norwegian remains one of the most prolific goalscorers in world football and has been a key figure in City’s pursuit of another Premier League title. His ability to stretch defences, attack crosses and punish mistakes makes him a central part of Guardiola’s attacking system.
Consequently, City will be hoping the latest concern is nothing more than a precaution.
Attention will now turn to medical assessments once Haaland returns to the club. City’s medical team will need to establish the extent of the problem before a decision is made on his availability for Sunday’s heavyweight encounter.
The timing also adds another layer of pressure around a club already dealing with off-field uncertainty.
City have been found guilty of all charges relating to alleged breaches of Premier League financial rules covering the period between the 2009/10 and 2017/18 seasons by an independent commission.
Still, their immediate priority is football, and Liverpool away represents one of the toughest tests they could face after the international break.
For Haaland, the next few days will be crucial.
If the injury proves minor, City could still have their star striker leading the line at Anfield. But if the problem is more serious than first feared, Guardiola could be forced to rethink his attacking plans for one of the Premier League’s biggest fixtures.
Either way, Haaland’s decision to come off has given Manchester City an unwanted concern just days before a major test of their title credentials.
Toosin is a dedicated sports writer with a strong background in crafting engaging and insightful content. With experience at Goal, he has developed a sharp editorial sense and a refined storytelling approach that brings depth and perspective to sports journalism. His passion for the game goes beyond the headlines, as he captures both the excitement of the sport and the compelling human narratives behind each event. Toosin’s work resonates with a broad and diverse audience, making global sports stories accessible, relatable, and impactful.
