Erling Haaland Is Expected To Be Fit When Manchester City Meets Liverpool After Being Reserved Against Real Madrid

Erling Haaland did not play against Real Madrid to fit when Manchester City host Liverpool (Instagram/@mancity).

JAKARTA - Erling Haaland only warmed the bench when Manchester City lost to Real Madrid in the second leg of the knockout phase of the Champions League, Thursday, February 20, 2025, early morning WIB.

Kylian Mbappe scored three goals when Haaland didn't even participate in pre-match warming and only watched the match at the Bernabeu.

Real Madrid easily beat Manchester City and advanced to the last 16 of the Champions League with a 6-3 aggregate victory.

The Citizens who needed strength in the attack as they tried to reverse the deficit 2-3 from the first leg had to bite their fingers. They finally lost 1-3 in Bernabeu in the second leg.

However, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola chose not to play the club's top scorer, Haaland, who has made just five appearances as a substitute during his career at Etihad.

The decision was not without reason. After the game, Guardiola explained that Haaland tried to leave, but physically could not afford it.

"Erling tried training yesterday after the last match against Newcastle United (February 15, 2025".

"Based on the pictures (of the action) we did, his condition was fine. However, he felt uncomfortable climbing the stairs."

"We spoke and he said he didn't feel well. We've tried," said Guardiola.

Resting Halaand is also an important step for Manchester City so that the striker can fit in another important match.

After returning from Bernabeu, The Citizens are scheduled to host leaders of the Premier League standings, Liverpool, on Sunday, February 23, 2025.

The match is certainly crucial considering that Manchester City's focus this time is only to target the last four of the Premier League.

Haaland will try hard to achieve fitness to be ready for the match.

The Norwegian scored against Real Madrid for the first time in their previous meeting - with both teams having met in the knockout stages of the Champions League in three years.

Haaland has scored eight goals in nine games in the Champions League this season, third best in the tournament, under Serhou Guirassy (Burussia Dortmund/10 goals) and Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona/9 goals) and the same as the Raphinha (Barcelona) collection.