Pep Guardiola addresses Erling Haaland absence for Man City vs Liverpool
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola addressed Erling Haaland's absence vs Liverpool after the Norway striker was left out of the matchday squad.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola said that Erling Haaland is feeling better but is not fit enough to face Liverpool.
Haaland had to withdraw from international duty last month due to suffering from a groin injury. During the break, the Norwegian visited a City-affiliated hospital in Marbella to have the injury assessed.
Upon his return to England, the 22-year-old was not seen in training leading to doubts regarding the likelihood of him playing against Jurgen Klopp's side. On Friday, Guardiola said that he would be assessing the striker following their final session later that day.
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Speaking to BT Sport, Guardiola confirmed that Haaland was not fit enough to play a part on Saturday. He said: "He’s much, much better, but not for today. He didn’t feel good, no risk." Guardiola also said that Bernardo Silva is only fit enough for the bench due to a virus.
Pundit Rio Ferdinand claimed that Klopp's team will have been celebrating Haaland's absence. Ferdinand added: "There’s no doubt in my mind that in that dressing room they’ll be sitting in there thinking ‘right, that’ll do.’ The reaction to that would have been huge for them, and they would have been delighted.
"They’ll be pleased, they’ll be more happier than this man [Pep Guardiola, who just walked on screen to be interviewed]."
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