Manchester City number nine Erling Haaland was hauled off with a possible injury concern in Norway's 2-1 UEFA Nations League defeat to Portugal on Sunday.
Erling Haaland is a doubt for Manchester City's upcoming meetings with Liverpool & PSG.
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The 26-year-old has made a strong start to life under Enzo Maresca at the Etihad Stadium, scoring seven goals in as many appearances in all competitions under the new Manchester City manager.
Since his arrival to City from Borussia Dortmund in 2022, Haaland has established himself as arguably the greatest goalscorer on the planet alongside Harry Kane, winning a historic treble in his debut campaign in England and leading the Blues to another Premier League title in the following season.
Haaland was also crucial in helping Manchester City win a FA Cup and Carabao Cup double in Pep Guardiola's final season at the Etihad Stadium last term, setting up Antoine Semenyo for the all-important winner in a 1-0 FA Cup final win over Chelsea at Wembley in May.
As Maresca arrived at the Etihad Stadium, Haaland was elected as Manchester City vice-captain as he embarked on his fourth season at the club in the backdrop of an array of high-profile exits over the course of the summer transfer window.
Norway manager Stale Solbakken has angrily rejected the suggestion that Manchester City pressured Norway’s football federation to keep Erling Haaland away from the media.cityxtra.co.ukNorway Manager Stale Solbakken Denies Man City Interference in Erling Haaland Media Duties
Norway manager Stale Solbakken has angrily rejected the suggestion that Manchester City pressured Norway’s football federation to keep Erling Haaland away from the media.
Haaland Taken Off With Injury Against Portugal
However, as if they aren't dealing with enough already amid the club's appeal to an independent commission finding City guilty of breaching the Premier League's financial rules between 2009-18 on 114 accounts, Maresca and his coaching staff have been handed another piece of bad news ahead of October 11's trip to Anfield.
Haaland was withdrawn with a what appeared to be an injury 67 minutes into Norway's 2-1 defeat to Portugal in the UEFA Nations League on Sunday, having signalled to the bench to request a change - and Jørgen Strand Larsen subsequently coming on for the Manchester City forward.
Notably, Haaland was seen limping moments before requesting the change but it could well be that the Leeds-born star was purely taking precaution, with the nature and full extent of the issue yet to be disclosed.
Could Haaland Miss Man City's Meetings With Liverpool And PSG?
It remains to be seen whether the concern is grave enough to put into doubt Haaland's availability for Manchester City's trip to face Liverpool and home UEFA Champions League group-phase fixture against Paris Saint-Germain.
Norway's medical team would be in contact with Manchester City over the extent of the issue and should the latter deem it is worth Haaland flying back to England for a comprehensive assessment, Haaland will be make the trip back to Manchester sooner rather than later.
City have made a perfect start to their era under Maresca - since a 3-0 defeat to Arsenal in the Community Shield in August - and the Blues will take any quantum of solace at the moment, with a dark cloud hanging over the Etihad Stadium ahead of the club's appeal of the independent commission's guilty verdict.