As Liverpool prepares for a huge match against Manchester City in the Premier League over the next week, Erling Haaland has emerged as a possible injury doubt
Erling Haaland asks for substitution during the UEFA Nations League Group 4 football match between Portugal and Norway
Erling Haaland is a fresh injury concern for Manchester City ahead of a clash with Liverpool(Image: (Photo by Miguel RIOPA / AFP via Getty Images))
Manchester City faces a nervous wait surrounding the fitness of star striker Erling Haaland, after the forward limped off in Norway's clash with Portugal on Sunday.
The 26-year-old started for his national team in the UEFA Nations League match but could only last until the 66th minute, when he signaled to his manager and the team's bench that he had a problem.
Haaland looked in some discomfort, though the extent of the problem was unclear, as he seemed to make it clear that he wanted to come off, having limped through a spell of the game looking exhausted. The striker then sat on the bench, watching on with Norway drawing 1-1 at the time of his withdrawal, after Kristoffer Ajer's strike was cancelled out by Joao Cancelo's goal just moments later.
Without Haaland on the pitch, the visitors fell to defeat, as Goncalo Ramos scored in the 79th minute to give Portugal all three points in the encounter, quieting any drama surrounding the team and the camp following Cristiano Ronaldo's dramatic exit earlier in the international break.
It's a defeat that leaves Norway bottom of the Nations League group, with just one win from the opening four games, and concerns are now mounting over their star striker.
Haaland is now set to return to Man City, with his international duties now over, and the extent of his issue is set to be thoroughly checked by the club before a verdict can be given on his physical state, as well as the next steps that can be taken.
The club will be hopeful that it is fatigue, rather than anything serious, as Enzo Maresca's side prepares for a huge match against Liverpool on their return to Premier League action.
Erling Haaland from Norway in action during the UEFA Nations League 2026/27 group phase match between Portugal and Norway
Erling Haaland was substituted in Norway's defeat to Portugal(Image: (Photo by Diogo Faria Reis/MB Media/Getty Images))
That is against the backdrop of many injury doubts and concerns for both clubs during what is set to be another busy period of the season ahead.
Liverpool will be without Hugo Ekitike and Conor Bradley for the encounter, while late checks are needed on Cody Gakpo and Alexander Isak, as the pair withdrew from international duty due to injuries.
Man City is hardly unscathed, with Antoine Semenyo suffering from an ankle problem that stopped him from being with the Ghana squad over the break, while Nico O'Reilly dropped out of the England squad after one match due to his own issue. That is on top of a suspension for Phil Foden, following his red card in the Manchester derby.
Both teams will view the encounter as a true test of their ability early on in the season, regardless of the players available, with the new coaches likely to learn more from their players as a result of such a gargantuan fixture.
It remains to be seen who will be fit and who will not be available, with a huge week ahead for both teams before a highly-anticipated meeting at Anfield.