Pep Guardiola raises Erling Haaland selection doubt ahead of monumental Liverpool battle | OneFootball

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has warned Arne Slot and Liverpool about the quality possessed by Erling Haaland ahead of Sunday’s clash of the titans at Anfield.

City are in desperate need of points as they hunt Arsenal down after losing further ground in the title race last week, with Dominic Solanke’s second-half brace holding the Blues to a frustrating 2-2 draw with Tottenham in north London.

The Blues have won just once in their last six Premier League games and after setting up a Carabao Cup final tie with Arsenal in midweek, Guardiola and co must win at Anfield to keep up the pressure on the Gunners in the title race.

Guardiola made several changes to his lineup for City’s 3-1 win over Newcastle United in the return leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final tie on Wednesday night, with all of Erling Haaland, Rayan Cherki, Rodri and Gianluigi Donnarumma rested.

Bernardo Silva is a major doubt to face Arne Slot’s side after missing the midweek win over the Magpies, with Ruben Dias in contention to play his first minutes since returning to injury and John Stones also returning to training ahead of the trip to Merseyside.

Manchester City have struggled to find the back of the net to the same extent so far in 2026 as they did in the first half of the season, with Haaland not enjoying his finest run in front of goal of late.

The January arrival of Antoine Semenyo from Bournemouth and the form shown by Omar Marmoush since his return from the Africa Cup of Nations have helped alleviate the goalscoring burden on Haaland’s shoulders – but Guardiola will be desperate to see his number nine back in business sooner rather than later.

After he handed Haaland a timely rest in midweek, Guardiola was asked in a press conference on Friday afternoon whether the 25-year-old Norwegian will return to the lineup against Liverpool.

“Erling is the best striker in the world,” said Guardiola in a defiant tone. “I don’t know (if Haaland will play or not), we’ll decide tomorrow (on Saturday after training). Always I say, Erling is the best!”

Liverpool were thrashed in a 3-0 win for City in the reverse fixture at the Etihad Stadium in November 2025 but Guardiola is not underestimating the threat posed by the reigning Premier League champions.

“They remain an exceptional team; a top class manager and an exceptional team, no doubt,” Guardiola added on Liverpool. “Moments are moments, seasons are seasons. Always remain a good team!”

When quizzed on Manchester City’s game plan for Anfield, Guardiola said: “I have an idea, but still didn’t (decide) the line-up. I’ll see how they played lately, what we have to do, adjust something, but not just (for) Anfield, in all the biggest stages, big games.

“Always you need big personalities – it’s not about skills. All players in the Premier League and big leagues, top clubs, skills are there. It’s how you behave, and I’m not saying playing good or bad.

“It’s how you are as a player, doing it here at the biggest stadiums, at home, or last stages, European competitions – that defines the good players, and as much you have, that defines the good teams.”

City need three points and nothing less on Sunday and a defeat against Liverpool – should Arsenal win their home game against Sunderland – will see Guardiola and co slip to nine points behind the Premier League leaders and effectively rule them of the title race.