Norway manager Stale Solbakken has revealed that Erling Haaland's substitution against Portugal was planned in advance, easing fears over the Manchester City striker's fitness ahead of Sunday's clash with Liverpool.
Haaland, 26, was taken off during the second half of Norway's 2-1 defeat in Porto on Sunday, sparking concerns he had picked up an injury. He started all four of his country's matches during the international break but did not complete the full game for the first time, signalling to be substituted in the 67th minute.
Planned substitution
Speaking after the match, Solbakken allayed those fears. "I'm pleased that he managed to dig out 60 good minutes today," he told Nettavisen. "He is in the group that is hardest hit, precisely because his team plays all the tournaments and he is the 'main man'."
Solbakken also bemoaned how his players tired in the second half after Kristoffer Ajer had given Norway the lead on 36 minutes. Portugal scored either side of half-time to condemn Norway to a third consecutive defeat.
Player fatigue concerns
"We got tired in the second half, and there are many reasons for that, that's how it is, but the load was perhaps a little too much," Solbakken added. "We can't do anything about it. We just want to play in the games we are called up for, but it's tough. We can live with that. Now the players need to get some breathing room, and then it's time to get back to the club's routine."
He continued: "For someone who plays in the Champions League, who has had little vacation, and especially for those players who did not get a vacation this summer, it is more brutal than for others. Having so little vacation and going straight into high-intensity leagues and then getting that collection here. It has nothing to do with excuses, it is just completely sick. And especially for the smaller nations."
City's fitness concerns
City are hoping there is no hangover for Haaland, who is set to have a rare free midweek before travelling to Anfield. The striker leads the Premier League scoring charts with five goals in as many games, as Enzo Maresca's men sit top of the table.
Alongside Haaland, City will have to assess the fitness of Antoine Semenyo and Nico O'Reilly, who pulled out of their respective national team squads because of injury. Phil Foden is still suspended after being shown a red card for violent conduct against Manchester United last month.
Liverpool have their own fitness concerns going into the match, with Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo having suffered injuries while playing for their countries. Hugo Ekitike, Conor Bradley, Giovanni Leoni and Federico Chiesa are expected to miss out, with each of them yet to feature this season.
