It could be a huge setback for Manchester City, which could even cost them the Premier League title race against Arsenal, after star striker Erling Haaland has been declared a ‘touch and go’ for next weekend’s Liverpool clash by his father Alfie Haaland. The free-scoring striker has had a phenomenal debut season in the Premier League, scoring 28 goals in 26 games and continuing his extraordinary scoring streak from his time at Borussia Dortmund.
But, there was concern for Erling Haaland as he complained of groin strain against Burnley in the FA Cup the last weekend. The Norwegian FA then confirmed that their striker will miss their matches against Spain and Georgia due to the injury. Furthermore, the 22-year-old was compelled to leave Norway’s team this week and is now undergoing medical treatment for the groin pain in Spain.
Erling Haaland’s father unsure whether striker will have make in time for Liverpool clash
Manchester City have found themselves in a fiercely fought title race with Arsenal, who are currently sitting atop of the table with an eight-point gap over the defending league champions who have a game in hand. However, the next few fixtures for both the clubs could truly decide whether the Premier League trophy is draped in red ribbons or blue. City face Liverpool post the conclusion of international break, while fixtures against Southampton, Leicester City, Fulham and Arsenal also await them next month.
Pep Guardiola would have wanted Erling Haaland fit and firing as usual for the title run-in which begins post the international break. However, the groin injury to the Norway international seems to have distorted his plans, as Guardiola’s team must now wait in suspense to see if their star striker will be ready for the Liverpool clash next week. Updating on his son’s injury, Alfie Haaland told TV2:
“He would very much like to have played these two international matches but now it won’t be like that. He must prioritise his health, try to get his body back in place. Based on the assumptions, he is doing well, but he is very sad.
“First and foremost, it is the national team that makes the decision, but they cooperate, of course. They must have as much knowledge as possible about this and of course ask the doctors and physios at Manchester City. Then they come up with something together. Manchester City has a partnership with a hospital in Barcelona. He has been there for further checks and treatment. Now he has been here [in Marbella] for a couple of days with the physio from the club. So he gets good follow-up.
Alfie revealed when asked if his son would be available for City’s match against Liverpool on April 1:
“Firstly, I’m not a doctor and secondly, I think it’s ‘touch and go’, yes. You can’t just go two weeks without training and then jump right into a fight. There must be a progression there. They can gamble on it, but if he doesn’t get proper training with the team, then he won’t play. It is about how he responds to treatment in the next few days. He needs a lot of care and ‘knuckling’. There are many sprints and there is a lot to move.”
On April 1, Manchester City will host Liverpool before traveling to Southampton seven days later. Pep Guardiola’s team will be pursuing Arsenal in the race for the Premier League title in the final 10 games. City will hope that Erling Haaland can return to full fitness for those crucial matches since they have both of their quarterfinal legs against Bayern Munich wedged either side of another Premier League game against Leicester City.