Norway manager Stale Solbakken has confirmed Erling Haaland has been granted extra time off.
Portugal v Norway -UEFA Nations league
Erling Haaland has had a busy international break with Norway (Image: Getty)
Manchester City striker Erling Haaland has been afforded additional recovery time before he returns to action with his club. The Norwegian international was withdrawn during his nation's 2-1 defeat to Portugal on Sunday. As City gear up to meet Liverpool in the Premier League this Sunday, Stale Solbakken has revealed that the 26-year-old has been allowed extra time off ahead of their Anfield grudge match. Norway's manager said Haaland is physically 'spent' after his efforts throughout the international window. And the striker's wish for extra rest was granted before he returns to the City training ground.
Haaland was taken off with suspected muscle fatigue, though fears regarding a significant injury have been allayed. City will be desperate to have him fit and firing for their journey to Anfield in their first match since the independent commission found the club guilty of 114 of their 115 financial charges.
The Norway boss said: "It's not just him - there's a whole bunch leaving now. They've been given a few days off by their clubs so they've booked a private plane - like you and I can't afford.
"Erling was simply thoroughly spent. Some of my players have only had six or seven days of holiday. And you do not live off your physical condition in a normal job.
"Then it is straight into the start of the season, followed by a mini-tournament, so it is an extreme strain. He's in the group that carries the heaviest workload - precisely because his team plays in every tournament and he's the main man."
Haaland has been in scintillating form in the top flight this season, bagging five goals in as many Premier League games. He has appeared in every match for Enzo Maresca's side, scoring twice in the 2-0 triumph over FC Porto in the Champions League.
All focus will shift to Merseyside this weekend, with those associated with City expected to face questions regarding the verdict on their alleged financial breaches. An appeal has been lodged, but pressure is intensifying to impose severe punishment if the appeal fails.
Portugal v Norway - UEFA Nations League 2026/27 Group A4 MD4
Erling Haaland was taken off with muscle soreness against Portugal (Image: Getty)
The Premier League had charged them with 115 financial breaches spanning a nine-season period between 2009-10 and 2017-18, which City strenuously denied.
However, a decision from the independent commission following a protracted legal dispute found the club guilty on 114 counts.
England manager Thomas Tuchel commented on the outcome, and whether it has impacted the Three Lions' City players: "If I say now it's not then I can just speak for myself, which would be totally narrow-minded. I think it is a distraction. It is.
"Let's say it is a subject. If it's a distraction, I don't know. It is of course a topic and we speak about it at dinner and at a table of eight or 12 people.
"We speak about it at breakfast. I know the Man City players get a lot of messages and phone calls and feedback about it."