Erling Haaland fails to recover from injury in time to feature for Manchester City against Liverpool

Manchester City striker Erling Haaland has failed to recover from injury in time to feature in Saturday’s crunch Premier League clash with Liverpool.

The Norway international suffered a groin issue before the international break and was forced to withdraw from his country’s Euro 2024 qualifiers.

However, Haaland was not in City’s 23-man squad when the team news came through on Saturday lunchtime.

It is a major blow for City, as the 22-year-old has scored 28 goals in 26 Premier League games for them this season.

Argentina striker Julian Alvarez leads the line his absence for a crucial game in City’s bid to retain the Premier League title.

It is a high-pressure game for City, who trail league leaders Arsenal by eight points and can’t afford many more slip-ups in the title race.

Arsenal, who face Leeds United later on Saturday, have played one game more than The Citizens.

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp left striker Darwin Nunez on the bench, starting Diogo Jota up front in his place, flanked by Cody Gakpo and Mohamed Salah.

The Reds’ trips to the Etihad Stadium have often been decisive moments in the title race in recent years, but this term Klopp’s side have struggled and they are sixth in the standings, 27 points off top and seven points outside the top four.