Man City XI vs Liverpool: Erling Haaland injury latest, confirmed team news and predicted lineup today | OneFootball

Pep Guardiola was set to decide on Saturday if star striker would be fit for massive game

Manchester City are sweating on the fitness of Erling Haaland for today’s huge Premier League showdown with Liverpool.

Pep Guardiola’s side are aiming to bounce back quickly from an early Champions League exit at the hands of Real Madrid in midweek, by ensuring that they don't drop more points in the race to qualify for the competition next season.

However, Haaland's availability for this afternoon’s clash at the Etihad Stadium has been up in the air, with Guardiola confirming at his pre-match press conference on Friday that a decision had still not been made on his involvement.

The Norway international sparked concern when holding his knee after landing awkwardly during the 4-0 win over Newcastle last weekend before coming off with a few minutes to go.

All appeared to be well with the striker when he was subsequently pictured appearing to take some part in training and named in the travelling squad for the Champions League knockout phase play-off second-leg tie at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday night.

Eyebrows were then raised when Haaland was named on the bench in Madrid and did not come on despite City’s deficit, with Guardiola revealing afterwards that his star striker said he wasn't ready to be involved.

Bench role: Haaland watched on from the sidelines in Madrid on Wednesday night

John Walton/PA Wire

In an update following the 3-1 loss on the night, the Man City boss didn't sound too confident of having Haaland back for the visit of the Premier League leaders.

“Erling, yesterday [Monday], tried to train after the action against Newcastle in the last minutes,” Guardiola said.

If Haaland is not passed fit to face Liverpool then January signing Omar Marmoush - fresh off scoring a hat-trick against Newcastle - is the most likely option to lead the City attack and Kevin De Bruyne could be recalled after being rested for the last two games.

John Stones was forced off early against Real Madrid and is now facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines, with the Englishman potentially requiring surgery on his thigh. His place in defence alongside Ruben Dias is likely to go to Nathan Ake.

There is a decision for Guardiola to make at right-back as Matheus Nunes and Rico Lewis are pushing to replace January signing Abdukodir Khusanov, who endured a difficult night against Vinicius Jr in Madrid.

Manuel Akanji, Rodri and Oscar Bobb are all still out but Jack Grealish, Jeremy Doku and Mateo Kovacic are in contention to start.

Predicted Man City XI: Ederson; Nunes, Dias, Ake, Gvardiol; Gonzalez, Kovacic; Savinho, De Bruyne, Foden; Marmoush

Doubt: Haaland

Injured: Akanji, Bobb, Rodri, Stones

Time and date: 4:30pm GMT today on Sunday February 23, 2025

Venue: Etihad Stadium, Manchester

How to watch: Sky Sports