Manchester City may be able to call on Erling Haaland against Liverpool, despite concerns that he had suffered an injury while on international duty. The Norwegian appeared to ask to be taken off during Norway's match against Portugal on Sunday.
He was replaced by Jorgen Strand Larsen in the 67th minute of the game, prompting concerns that he may have picked up an injury which could rule him out of action at Anfield. Liverpool host City on Sunday afternoon, the first game back after the extended international break. The match will come with a backdrop of City being found guilty of 114 breaches of financial rules.
Fatigue rather than injury
Speaking after the game, via Dagbladet, Sobakken explained the decision to take Haaland off. "Today he played 60 good minutes. He played twice 90 minutes against Denmark and Portugal (first match)," he said.
"He was tired against Wales. That's why we had a heart-to-heart talk yesterday. There we went through what could be the possibilities. He could have played the last 45 minutes against Portugal. There was a discussion. But he has very bad vibes and feelings about it. He has experienced being put in the league cup. It hasn't been all over the world. I'm very happy that he managed to dig out 60 good minutes."
The change was attributed to fatigue rather than any confirmed injury. Reports in Norway suggest that roughly half an hour after the final whistle, Haaland, alongside teammates Sander Berge, Martin Odegaard and Kristoffer Ajer, were seen swiftly departing the stadium.
Early departure explained
"It wasn't just Haaland who left early," Sobakken said. "There's a whole bunch of people leaving now. They need a breather. They have been given a few days off from their club.
"But when they have the opportunity to book a private plane, I understand that they do it when they have two or three days off. You have to remember that the teams that went far in the World Cup have many players who have had minimal vacation. Then it's right to the start of the series and then a mini-tournament. It's an extreme strain."
Team-mates weigh in
Discussing Haaland's substitution, Norway team-mate Leo Ostigard told TV2: "It's clear that you want him on the field as long as possible. But he plays an incredible number of games, and he's a human being too.
"Erling is one of the best at turning things on and off. That's also part of what makes him so fantastically good. But the vacation hasn't been the longest, and as I said: He's only human. It's hard to be at his best in every game. He probably would have liked a slightly longer vacation."
Fellow international team-mate Patrick Berg added: "Of course, we know that he is the world's best goalscorer, and probably the one who scores goals most often for us. We would love to have him on the pitch, but if that stops, then it stops our energy.
"He has played all three games before this one, so it's not that shocking that his strength finally ran out."
The international break has seen Liverpool hit with injury worries of their own. Both Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo returned to Anfield early from international duty after suffering injuries. While Isak's injury is said to be minor, reports in the Netherlands suggest that Gakpo could be on the sidelines for 'several weeks'.
