Norway doctor gives injury update on Erling Haaland ahead of Man City v Liverpool clash

Norway’s doctor Ola Sand has revealed Erling Haaland suffered a recurrence of a recent injury during Thursday’s 2-0 win over the Faroe Islands.

The Manchester City striker came on as a second-half substitute in the latter stages of the Euro 2024 qualifier and went to convert a back-post tap-in, but appeared to get his foot stuck beneath him as he attempted to reach the ball. Haaland went down clutching his foot and received on-field treatment, but managed to finish the game.

Yet, City fans will be concerned that the knock appears to be an ongoing issue for their star no.9. Haaland was replaced at half-time in a 6-1 win over Bournemouth on 4 November, but recovered in time to face Young Boys in the Champions League three days later. The 23-year-old also played the full 90 minutes and grabbed a brace in City's last game before the international break, the 4-4 draw against Chelsea.

Haaland's injury setback on Thursday will be a concern for Pep Guardiola, especially ahead of the upcoming Premier League clash against second-place Liverpool on 25 November.

“It was much of the same that happened against Bournemouth a week and a half ago,” Sand told Norwegian outlet VG. “He has had it before too. He gets a slight twist in his ankle, where he is a bit vulnerable. It hurts a lot right away, and then it goes away pretty quickly.

“Now he will receive some treatment, then there will be peace and rest and then we will see how he is tomorrow morning. We have already spoken to City. Erling has spoken to both City and [chief doctor] Mario [Pafundi] already.”

The knock is particularly concerning given Nathan Ake, Ederson, Mateo Kovacic and Matheus Nunes have all pulled out of their respective national squads with injuries over the current break, while Rodri missed Spain's win over Cyprus on Thursday due to a knock.

With John Stones, Sergio Gomez and Kevin De Bruyne also out, it means the champions could select a depleted squad for next week’s meeting with Liverpool. City also face Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa in the subsequent Premier League matches.

As for Haaland, he's scored 17 goals in 18 appearances for City this season, including 13 from 12 Premier League matches.