Pep Guardiola has revealed that Erling Haaland stays a doubt for Manchester City’s Premier League match against Liverpool on Sunday.
The Norway international suffered a knee injury in the course of the 4-0 win at home to Newcastle United last Saturday but travelled with City’s squad to Madrid this week.
Nevertheless, Haaland was left on the bench during City’s 3-1 defeat against Real Madrid on Wednesday night as Guardiola’s side were eliminated from the Champions League.
City remain hopeful that Haaland will likely be available to face Liverpool but Guardiola revealed on Friday that the striker, who has scored 27 goals in all competitions this season, will undergo late tests closer to the sport against Liverpool.
When asked about Haaland’s availability, Guardiola replied: ‘I don’t know yet.
‘Tomorrow will comprehend it, I don’t know yet.’
Asked if he’s hopeful that Haaland will give you the option to play, Guardiola replied: ‘Yeah, possibly but I don’t know yet. We train today, until tomorrow he’ll test but I don’t know.
‘It is best to have Erling on the pitch than not have him, obviously. But with Erling we’re within the position that we’re immediately.
‘Everybody is answerable for good and bad things within the team. But in fact, with Erling we’re stronger.’
Guardiola also revealed that John Stones could potentially undergo surgery after he was forced off after eight minutes within the defeat to Real Madrid this week.
‘He’s injured, a difficult one,’ Guardiola said. ‘Next hours, days we’ll know if he needs surgery or not. Yeah [he faces a long period out], like Manu Akanji.’
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