Man City Suffer ‘Major’ Injury Scare Eight Days Before Premier League Clash with Liverpool
Liverpool’s Premier League rivals, Manchester City, have been left concerned over a fresh injury setback for Erling Haaland.
Just eight days before Liverpool’s visit to the Etihad Stadium, Erling Haaland has given Manchester City a significant injury scare. The striker went down clutching his knee despite no contact from an opponent, although he was able to walk off the pitch without assistance shortly afterwards.
As Arne Slot and his team prepare for their own challenge against Wolves at Anfield this weekend, the Premier League resumed action this Saturday. Manchester City hosted Newcastle United and secured a dominant 4-0 victory.
However, while they were cruising towards the win, the league’s second-highest goalscorer, behind Mohamed Salah, collapsed to the ground, gripping his right knee in discomfort. Medical staff attended to him, with pundit Paul Merson describing the scene during Sky Sports’ Soccer Saturday.
“As he goes to close someone down it seemed like his knee gave way, it sort of jarred. He didn’t look comfortable, shaking his head, Pep Guardiola put his head in his hands.”
The worst possible outcome for the 24-year-old even came to Merson’s mind, as he added: “It looked a major worry, the first thing that comes into your head there is ACL.”
However, after the scare, Haaland was able to stand up and walk off unaided. Guardiola, unwilling to take any risks, substituted him despite only two minutes remaining in the match.
Haaland was later seen shaking hands with the referee and his teammates before applauding the supporters both at that moment and again after the final whistle.
Speaking after the final whistle via BBC Sport, his manager commented: “When he went down everyone was scared but he walked off smiling and the doctor didn’t tell me bad news so hopefully he is fine.”
Liverpool will be closely monitoring the striker’s fitness, as they will be the ones attempting to prevent him from adding to his tally of 19 goals this season. Their visit to the Etihad Stadium is set for 4:30 pm next Sunday, February 23.
Before then, the Reds face Wolves tomorrow, followed by a clash with Aston Villa on Wednesday, February 19. Interestingly, it is not Manchester City who are posing the closest title challenge to Slot’s league leaders but rather Arsenal, who trail by four points despite having played an extra match after securing a 2-0 victory at Leicester City earlier in the day.
Manchester City also have another commitment before next weekend, as they travel to Real Madrid for their Champions League play-off tie. Guardiola’s team are currently trailing by one goal on aggregate after suffering a home defeat in the first leg.
Alongside Haaland’s potential injury setback, City also witnessed their new £59 million striker, Omar Marmoush, make an immediate impact by scoring a hat-trick against Newcastle.
In other news, Arne Slot to Recall Liverpool Star as Four Players May Miss Wolves Clash
