Why I dropped Haaland — Pep Guardiola

Manchester City boss, Pep Guardiola, has explained why he dropped striker Erling Haaland from the squad that faced Liverpool on Saturday, April 1st.

The Norway international was absent from the City squad that played at the Etihad Stadium due to fitness concerns. Guardiola revealed that Haaland had missed international duty with his country and had not fully recovered yet.

The Spanish coach was unwilling to take any risk with the striker and decided to rest him for the important fixture against Liverpool. Guardiola also noted that injuries were a common occurrence during the season and that the only option for him was to rotate his squad and utilize his other players.

Speaking to the press before the game, Guardiola stated, “He is much, much better but not fully fit for today. He didn’t feel good. With thought, we said, ‘no risk’. During the season you have these types of problems, with injuries. The only we can do is complain but we have never done it. So now the other players are going to play.”

Haaland, who joined Manchester City in the summer transfer window from Borussia Dortmund, has been a crucial player for Guardiola’s side this season, scoring 17 goals in 22 appearances across all competitions.