Question Mark Over Haaland's Fitness

Injured Norwegian could add to City's woes; Slot believes rivals' revival is already afoot

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MANCHESTER - Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola said Erling Haaland remains a doubt for their Feb 23 English Premier League clash against Liverpool, after sitting out his side's Champions League exit by Real Madrid.

The Norwegian was on the bench at the Santiago Bernabeu, but did not play as City lost 3-1 on Feb 19 to crash out 6-3 on aggregate.

"Tomorrow we will know," said Guardiola on Haaland's availability at his pre-match press conference on Feb 21.

The January signing of Omar Marmoush at least means the City boss does have a back-up option should Haaland fail to recover in time to face the league leaders.

But Guardiola could not hide the importance of his 27-goal star striker, who was taken off in the 4-0 win over Newcastle on Feb 15 over what appeared to be a knee issue.

"It's better to have Erling on the pitch than not," he said. "Of course, with Erling we are stronger."

The battle for supremacy between Guardiola's City and Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool marked an era in the Premier League.

But Arne Slot has seamlessly succeeded Klopp to have the Reds on course for the title in his first season in charge.

"For me it's an exceptional team. I have said many times, they have been the biggest rival in my tenure here," said Guardiola.