Erling Haaland was subbed off during Norway's 2-1 loss away to Portugal on Sunday and national team boss Stale Solbakken has provided an update amid fears of an injury
PORTO, PORTUGAL - OCTOBER 04: Erling Haaland of Norway reacts during the UEFA Nations League 2026/27 group phase match between Portugal and Norway at Estadio do Dragao on October 04, 2026 in Porto, Portugal. (Photo by Jose Manuel Alvarez Rey/Getty Images)
Erling Haaland signalled to be substituted in the second half(Image: Jose Manuel Alvarez Rey/Getty Images)
View 2 Images
Norway manager Stale Solbakken has revealed that Erling Haaland's substitution against Portugal was planned in advance. Haaland, 26, was taken off during the second half of Norway's 2-1 defeat on Sunday, sparking fears of an injury.
The Manchester City star started all four of his country's games during the international break but didn't play the full match for the first time in Porto. Haaland signalled to be substituted in the 67th minute, plunging his involvement against Liverpool this Sunday into doubt.
But Solbakken those allayed fears post-match. "I'm pleased that he managed to dig out 60 good minutes today," the Norway boss told Nettavisen. "He is in the group that is hardest hit, precisely because his team plays all the tournaments and he is the 'main man'."
Solbakken went on to bemoan how his players tired during the second half, having taken the lead through Kristoffer Ajer on 36 minutes. Portugal then scored either side of half-time to condemn Norway to a third consecutive defeat.
"We got tired in the second half, and there are many reasons for that, that's how it is, but the load was perhaps a little too much," Solbakken added. "We can't do anything about it.
"We just want to play in the games we are called up for, but it's tough. We can live with that. Now the players need to get some breathing room, and then it's time to get back to the club's routine.
"For someone who plays in the Champions League, who has had little vacation, and especially for those players who did not get a vacation this summer, it is more brutal than for others.
"Having so little vacation and going straight into high-intensity leagues and then getting that collection here. It has nothing to do with excuses, it is just completely sick. And especially for the smaller nations."
Porto, Portugal - October 4: Norway's Erling Braut Haaland gets a hug from Norway's head coach Ståle Solbakken as he comes off during the UEFA Nations League 2026/27 group phase match between Portugal and Norway at Estadio do Dragao on October 4, 2026 in Porto, Portugal. (Photo by Torbjorn Tande/DeFodi Images/DeFodi via Getty Images)
Stale Solbakken explained that Erling Haaland was fatigued(Image: Torbjorn Tande/DeFodi Images/DeFodi via Getty Images)
View 2 Images
City are hoping that there's no hangover for Haaland, who's set to have a rare free midweek before travelling to Anfield. The striker leads the Premier League scoring charts with five goals in as many games, as Enzo Maresca's men sit top of the table.
Alongside Haaland, City will have to assess the fitness of Antoine Semenyo and Nico O'Reilly, who pulled out of their respective national team squads because of injury. Phil Foden is still suspended after being shown a red card for violent conduct against Manchester United last month.
Liverpool have their own fitness concerns going into the match, with Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo having suffered injuries while playing for their countries. Hugo Ekitike, Conor Bradley, Giovanni Leoni and Federico Chiesa are expected to miss out, with each of them yet to feature this season.