Norway and Manchester City superstar Erling Haaland. Photo: Getty Images
Manchester City have been handed a fresh concern over Erling Haaland after the superstar striker asked to be substituted while on international duty with Norway, just days out from a blockbuster Premier League showdown with rivals Liverpool.
Haaland started Norway’s 2-1 UEFA Nations League defeat to Portugal but lasted only 67 minutes before signalling to the bench that he needed to come off on Monday (AEDT).
The extent of any problem remains unclear, but the sight of City’s leading striker – who has scored 65 goals in 58 international appearances – requesting to be withdrawn will inevitably raise concerns ahead of he club’s trip to Anfield on October 12 (AEDT).
Any absence would be a significant blow for City given Haaland’s blistering start to the new campaign, which has seen the Norwegian score seven goals in seven appearances across all competitions this season, including five in as many Premier League matches and another two in the Champions League.
Erling Haaland asked to come off due to an 𝐢𝐧𝐣𝐮𝐫𝐲 while playing for Norway 😬 https://t.co/2AxiCbLSiX
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) October 4, 2026
City head to Liverpool having made a perfect start to their Premier League campaign, with Haaland currently leading the Golden Boot race.
The Merseyside trip represents City’s biggest domestic test of the season so far and comes at a particularly turbulent moment away from the pitch.
An independent commission recently found City guilty of serious breaches of the Premier League’s financial rules across a nine-season period between 2009-10 and 2017-18, as well as the majority of charges relating to failures to cooperate with the league’s investigation.
City have since lodged an appeal, maintaining their innocence and arguing the commission’s findings contain material errors. No sporting sanction has yet been imposed and the appeals process could extend the saga further, leaving uncertainty hanging over the Premier League leaders.
In Portugal, meanwhile, Norway succumbed to 10-man Portugal.
Kristoffer Ajer’s stunning strike had given Norway the lead, though it was swiftly cancelled out by Joao Cancelo’s thunderous effort moments later.
Goncalo Ramos scored the winning goal in the second half for Portugal, who had Francisco Conceicao sent off in the closing stages.