Liverpool fans will not be surprised by the news that a trio of Manchester City players have returned to training ahead of Saturday’s clash at the Etihad.

The Premier League’s top-two face-off at lunchtime tomorrow in what is set to be a thrilling encounter.

Jurgen Klopp was yesterday boosted by the involvement of Ibou Konate, Ryan Gravenberch, Joe Gomez and Curtis Jones in training yesterday while Pep Guardiola was sweating on the fitness of a number of his key players who missed games or were not involved at all for their national sides during the recent international break.

READ MORE: ‘It’s not Klopp’s plan’ – Falk explains why Jurgen Klopp is relucant to sign new Liverpool deal

Erling Haaland missed Norway’s 3-3 draw with Scotland on Sunday with a knock to his ankle while Ederson and Nathan Ake remained in Manchester to continue receiving treatment for their respective injuries.

An update from Sky Sports News, however, has confirmed all three of those players participated in a training session for the Sky Blues ahead of tomorrow’s clash in news which won’t come as much of a surprise to Liverpool fans.

Guardiola clearly felt the need to prevent his players from representing their respective countries during the international break, but let’s hope we can earn a huge three points to go top of the table!

Check Sky Sports’ update below via their page on X:

Erling Haaland and Ederson took part in Manchester City training on Thursday evening ahead of their Premier League game against Liverpool on Saturday pic.twitter.com/M6dzBbSvgq

— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) November 24, 2023

10 games in 33 days: Liverpool’s title credentials set to be put to the test during relentless round-off to 2023

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Glen Johnson is relishing one particular personal duel in Liverpool’s upcoming Premier League clash against Manchester City.

The fixture pits the current top two against each other, and it also sees the division’s top scorer come up against probably its best defender, with Erling Haaland and Virgil van Dijk facing off.

The battle between those two could go a long way towards determining which (if either) team emerges victorious, and the former Reds defender is among those who’s intrigued as to how that match-up might play out.

Speaking to Squawka, Johnson said: “If anyone can stop Haaland, Van Dijk can. The issue is, with City it’s not just about him and there’s goal threats everywhere.

“Liverpool have to be careful [to] not just build the whole gameplan around Haaland, but in terms of the one-on-one battle between him and Van Dijk, it will be interesting to see how they take the game on. I’m interested to see if Haaland will look to go in behind or drop off and pull Van Dijk away from the defensive line.”

READ MORE: Glen Johnson claims ‘talented’ Man City ace could be in for ‘a tough game’ against Liverpool

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The Man City striker missed Norway’s 3-3 draw against Scotland on Sunday due to an ankle injury but is expected to be fit enough to feature against the Reds next weekend.

He actually wasn’t on the pitch when his side won this fixture 4-1 last season, having been absent with a groin problem, while Van Dijk didn’t play when Liverpool lost at the Etihad Stadium in the Carabao Cup just before Christmas due to his involvement in the latter stages of the 2022 World Cup.

Therefore, assuming the 23-year-old recovers in time, it’ll be a first head-to-head between the pair since our win over City at Anfield 13 months ago, when the Dutchman helped us to a clean sheet.

The Reds’ captain’s performance levels have risen since then, and he goes into Saturday’s game buoyant off the back of a strong campaign so far for club and country, but Haaland’s return of 69 goals in 71 appearances for his current employers (Transfermarkt) tells us everything about his potency.

Broadcasters may bill it as irresistible force meets immovable object, and it’s an individual head-to-head which could be decisive, although Johnson is right to warn of Pep Guardiola’s side boasting an abundance of attacking threats who can’t be taken lightly by Liverpool’s defence.

10 games in 33 days: Liverpool’s title credentials set to be put to the test during relentless round-off to 2023

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The news of an extensive injury list for Manchester City ahead of our meeting is often met with as much excitement as it is scepticism and that’s the case with the latest update on Erling Haaland.

After being ruled out of Norway’s next match with Scotland, the striker’s international manager has provided an update on his fitness.

READ MORE: Scanlon provides last minute winner during international break

Speaking with the media, Stale Solbakken said: “Yeah, I would say that’s a big blow for any team… Our doctor has made his own judgement on it. And yeah, so I think that all parties agree that it’s probably a little bit too early (for him to come back against Scotland and play), but it’s not a career threatening injury”.

It’s not clear whether the 23-year-old will play against Jurgen Klopp’s side but the concern doesn’t seem too big at this stage.

You can watch the comments on Haaland via @empireofthekop via X:

Injured Haaland a 'big blow but not serious' says Norway coach #LFC pic.twitter.com/31VpnGUPmC

— Empire of the Kop (@empireofthekop) November 19, 2023

Anfield Annals: Matt McQueen the Anfield All-Rounder who did everything in 36 years as a Red

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Manchester City fans are sweating on the fitness of a number of their key players ahead of next weekend’s visit of Liverpool to the Etihad.

The Sky Blues currently lead the way in the Premier League on 28 points with Liverpool and Arsenal trailing by a single point.

A number of Pep Guardiola’s key players, such as Nathan Ake, Ederson, Mateo Kovacic and Matheus Nunes have not been called up by their respective nations during the current break due to injury while Erling Haaland has confirmed he will miss Norway’s game with Scotland tonight after picking up a knock to his ankle.

READ MORE: (Video) Cody Gakpo looked sharp during the Netherlands’ defeat of Ireland in Amsterdam

Norway medic Ola Sand explained that the 23-year-old suffered a ‘slight twist in his ankle‘ during the defeat of the Faroe Islands on Thursday, but in news that won’t come as much of a surprise to Liverpool supporters, Fabrizio Romano has now confirmed the former Borussia Dortmund forward’s injury ‘is not serious and he will be fit’ for next week’s clash (in a post on his X page).

Understand Erling Haaland’s injury is not serious and he will be fit for City vs Liverpool.

Haaland will not risk to play vs Scotland after his problem but he’ll be regularly back for Man City. pic.twitter.com/Nu0T6Eawrf

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) November 19, 2023

It was somewhat expected to see a number of City players remain in Manchester ahead of the huge clash with Liverpool next week.

Chances are that all of those players are involved at the Etihad in what is another pathetic attempt of mind games from Guardiola.

We’ll be right up against it against the Cityzens but let’s hope we can put in a strong performance to come away with something from the game.

It would be a huge boost to our chances of securing a positive result if Haaland is to be ruled out but we cannot see that being the case.

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Erling Haaland has confirmed online that he will miss Sunday’s international meeting between Norway and Scotland.

The Manchester City forward shared the relevant post on x (formerly Twitter), a week ahead of the return of domestic football and a Premier League tie with Liverpool.

Unfortunately, I am missing tomorrow’s game against Scotland. Wishing the boys all the best. Now treatment and trying to get back asap pic.twitter.com/nnNGCWrypM

— Erling Haaland (@ErlingHaaland) November 18, 2023

The former Borussia Dortmund attacker has pulled out of the squad entirely, according to Sky Sports, with the player experiencing a great deal of pain.

READ MORE: ‘Really complicated’: Fabrizio Romano weighs in on Mo Salah being sold in January or the summer

READ MORE: Liverpool player told he simply won’t get ahead of starter in his position w/o injury

Mounting injury issues for Pep Guardiola

The Norwegian joins a burgeoning list of injured stars, including Kevin De Bruyne, John Stones, Nathan Ake, Ederson, Mateo Kovacic and Matheus Nunes.

It remains to be seen whether the issue affecting Haaland is serious enough to keep him out of next Saturday’s hosting of the Reds.

It’s always a huge shame to see such talented footballers miss one of the most highly anticipated fixtures in club football, so we’ll be wishing the 23-year-old the speediest of recoveries.

EOTK FPL Gameweek 12 Review : Tsimikas benching frustration, Palmer bargain? Time to sell Heung-min Son?

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Erling Haaland appeared to pick up a knock during Norway’s 2-0 friendly defeat of the Faroe Islands last night, sparking concerns about his fitness ahead of Manchester City’s clash with Liverpool next weekend.

The former Borussia Dortmund forward was introduced into the action as a half-time substitute but after attempting to convert an effort at the back post, the 23-year-old went down holding his ankle and requiring treatment.

He managed to finish the game, however, and Norway medic Ola Sand explained the apparent injury after the full-time whistle.

READ MORE: Ahead of Gerrard: Pennant believes ‘phenomenal’ 31-y/o is ‘Liverpool’s best-ever’ PL player ‘due to his stats’

Manchester City currently top the Premier League table with 28 points ahead of Liverpool’s visit to the Etihad a week on Saturday.

The Reds are just a single point behind Pep Guardiola’s side at the moment and although we may only be in November, the clash is already looking like a huge one in regards to this season’s title race.

The Sky Blues have won the last three league titles but Jurgen Klopp and Co. will be eager to end their period of dominance this time around.

The Merseysiders have not tasted victory at the Etihad since the Champions League quarter-final clash in 2018 and Liverpool’s hopes of three points would be boosted if Haaland was to be ruled out.

A number of City players have withdrew from international duty with knocks in recent days, but we wouldn’t be the slightest surprised to see the Norwegian and the rest of the ‘injured’ players involved against us next week.

Nathan Ake, Ederson, Mateo Kovacic and Matheus Nunes will not be involved with their respective national squads over the current break due to injury, while Rodri was absent during Spain’s win over Cyprus on Thursday due to a knock.

EOTK FPL Gameweek 12 Review : Tsimikas benching frustration, Palmer bargain? Time to sell Heung-min Son?

The post ‘It hurts a lot’ – Norway medic speaks out after Erling Haaland suffers ‘twist in his ankle’ ahead of Liverpool clash appeared first on The Empire of The Kop.

Diogo Jota had his work cut out for him to name a five-a-side of players he’s played against (obviously, with no Liverpool teammates allowed to be included).

The Portuguese international initially struggled after naming Gianluigi Buffon in goal, before settling on an assortment of Manchester City players in the form of Erling Haaland, Bernardo Silva and Ruben Dias, and Braga’s Joao Moutinho to complete the set.

It’s a strong selection, in fairness, though we reckon a few of his former and current teammates at Anfield would have a case to break into the team had they been up for selection!

You can catch the clip below, courtesy of That’s Football’s YouTube channel:

The post (Video) No LFC players allowed: Diogo Jota builds ultimate 5-a-side including three Man City players appeared first on The Empire of The Kop.

Gone are the days of hating your opponents and we’re seeing many being close friends with a heated rival becoming more common than ever, now Dominik Szoboszlai has shared a tale of his unlikely bond.

Speaking with The Athletic, the Hungarian spoke about his friendship with Erling Haaland: “Erling and I are still close; we message each other and we talk when either of us has time, I live near to him now so we’ll probably have some dinners together.

“Before I joined Liverpool, he just said: ‘Get ready!’ But he knows I’m ready. He told me it is a crazy league and that I’m going to love it.

READ MORE: Szoboszlai reveals childhood idols ahead of making Premier League debut for Liverpool

”I’m not surprised by how well he has done at Man City. I knew what he could do and how much work he puts in. He’s an unbelievable player.

“I know all about the rivalry between Liverpool and the Manchester clubs, but I’m ready. That’s why I’ve come to Liverpool. I want to see how it feels when I’m playing in those games.”

Despite not playing together during their time in Germany, it was their spell at RB Salzburg that forged the friendship that is clearly still going strong today.

After seeing Virgil van Dijk holidaying with Kevin De Bruyne and Nathan Ake this summer, it’s not unusual for the biggest stars of both clubs to be spending time together off the pitch.

Now we have a new duo to look out for but let’s hope that the captain of his nation can find some more Anfield teammates to knock around with in the near future.

The Norwegian striker blew everyone away with his performances for Manchester City last season and given his age and form, there’s no reason that this won’t continue in the new campaign.

Let’s hope that some of Jurgen Klopp’s stars can have a similar level of success this year and that we can launch ourselves back into a hunt for silverware and success.

#Ep83 of The Empire of the Kop Podcast: EOTK Insider with Neil Jones

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Erling Haaland and Dominik Szoboszlai could soon become neighbours if the Hungarian were to take his former teammate’s advice on real estate.

The former told Liverpool’s latest signing of a quiet area a handful of footballers have moved to in order to protect their privacy.

“We’ve talked. So much so that Erling Haaland has also advised on finding real estate, and it could very well be that we become neighbours,” the 22-year-old told the Hungarian-based Nemzeti Sport (via the Echo).

“I learned from him that several players live halfway between Manchester and Liverpool in a quiet area where privacy can be preserved, and on Monday I will see what he was talking about, I am very curious.

“And of course, putting our friendship aside during the Liverpool-Manchester City matches, it will surely be a fantastic experience to play against each other.”

Moving to a new country can bring with it some serious acclimatisation challenges, as Darwin Nunez no doubt proved to a certain degree last term after struggling with the new language.

READ MORE: Liverpool may be forced into one-way transfer street after fresh Lavia update

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Whilst that factor won’t be concern for Szoboszlai, whose mastery of the language seems more than suitable for life in England, there’s no question that homesickness or just the new territory in general could weigh down our third-most expensive signing.

Having a close friend nearby, even one who plays for direct rivals Manchester City, however, could help the midfielder settle in far more quickly than we might have imagined.

Whilst we’d certainly prefer the former RB Leipzig man to be getting cosier with his Liverpool teammates, we won’t sniff at any opportunity to speed up the process of acclimatisation.

EOTK Insider with Neil Jones: TWO midfielders at the front of the queue, truth about Tchouameni interest, Trent’s impact on transfers, and much more!

The post ‘We’ve talked’ – Erling Haaland could help Liverpool out with huge transfer favour appeared first on The Empire of The Kop.

Stan Collymore believes that Andy Robertson would’ve been ‘annoyed’ by the hype surrounding Erling Haaland prior to the Euro 2024 qualifier between Norway and Scotland on Saturday.

While the Manchester City hotshot had a phenomenal season for his club as they won the treble, the Liverpool defender got a modicum of revenge as his nation came from behind to triumph in Oslo at the weekend.

The former Reds striker has said that the 29-year-old would’ve hated the attention being heaped on the Norwegian predator prior to the game and duly delivered a ‘world-class’ performance in captaining his nation to victory.

Speaking to CaughtOffside, Collymore said: “Andy Robertson was exceptional, absolutely world-class.

“The game was built up in a way that meant Erling Haaland was the centre of attention. It was almost like there was no way Norway were going to lose while Haaland was on the pitch and that would have annoyed Robertson like you wouldn’t believe.

“Of course, Haaland is going to get a lot of attention, he’s his country’s best player and he’s just won the treble with Manchester City, but Robertson has won it all too. He’s not a nobody, he’s also playing for one of the biggest clubs in Europe and is arguably one of, if not the, best in the world in his position.”

READ MORE: Liverpool have interest in European winner who’s set to snub title-winning giants – report

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Although Haaland scored from the penalty spot on Saturday, he was largely kept very quiet by Robertson and the Scotland defence.

As per Sofascore, the Man City marksman didn’t have any other shots in the game and was restricted to a mere 17 touches and seven accurate passes. Meanwhile, the Liverpool left-back won five of his seven duels, completed all three dribble attempts and made three interceptions and one tackle.

Therefore, it’s easy to see why Collymore was so effusive in his praise of the Scotsman’s performance in Oslo as his nation took command of their qualifying group, in which they have an eight-point advantage over Norway with both having three matches played.

The former Reds striker is also right to talk up what Robertson has achieved at Anfield, winning seven trophies (including the Premier League and Champions League) and racking up 71 goal contributions in 267 appearances across six years at the club (Transfermarkt).

His status as one of the world’s best left-backs is underlined by him ranking fourth in a FourFourTwo list among players in that position and being previously hailed as its top exponent by one of his predecessors at Liverpool in Jose Enrique (Sky Sports).

Judging by Saturday’s performance and result, our number 26 appeared to use any motivation to get one over on Haaland in the best way possible.

Exclusive: Jacque Talbot’s Liverpool transfers update: Liverpool & Newcastle in for Kone, Thuram latest, likelihood of Lavia move… and more!

The post Stan Collymore says Robertson would’ve been ‘annoyed’ by Haaland hype before Scotland victory appeared first on The Empire of The Kop.

One can appreciate calls for Diogo Jota to have been handed a red card for his high boot, which collided with Oliver Skipp’s head when the Tottenham man also vied for the ball.

However, we take exception to the discourse that has followed, with Dermot Gallagher a shining example of the blatant hypocrisy present in the sport.

Comparing Sky Sports footage of the former official analysing Erling Haaland’s high boot on Joachim Andersen before our No.20’s, the Irishman is seen showing leniency to the former whilst suggesting a completely different outcome for the latter.

Given that the two incidents are near identical, it’s difficult to see why there should be a difference in the punishment issued.

You can catch the clip below, courtesy of Sky Sports (via @Biggies_MaIIs):

pic.twitter.com/uMC0kHDw6w

— Biggies Malls 2.0 (@Biggies_MaIIs) May 1, 2023

The post (Video) Blatant hypocrisy in Gallagher’s analysis of Jota high boot challenge exposed in Haaland footage appeared first on The Empire of The Kop.

Liverpool and Manchester City is a game that is always going to be full of world stars and when one is missing from the match, like Erling Haaland, it’s always going to provoke a reaction.

Jurgen Klopp spoke on BT Sport after the teams had been announced but before he’d had a chance to see it and it was Peter Crouch who broke the news to him.

READ MORE: (Video) Three Liverpool changes from the Bernabeu and a return to three up top predicts ex-Red for City clash

The 55-year-old said: “I didn’t see the line-up before I came out, to be honest!”.

Regardless of who Pep Guardiola does field though, it’s always going to be a tough game and we will be prepared to face whatever 11 comes up against us.

You can watch Klopp’s reaction to the Haaland news (from 0:30) via @btsportfootball on Twitter:

"Yeh, yeh, yeh, you said it to Pep as well!!"

Jurgen Klopp talks injury news, preparing for Haaland or Alvarez and whether this season has been his toughest so far…

@TheDesKelly | @petercrouch pic.twitter.com/e4XALKtEEr

— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) April 1, 2023

#Ep73 of The Empire of the Kop Podcast: Author chat with Chris Roberts on Football, Mental Health… and more!

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Pep Guardiola is continuing to keep his cards extremely close to his chest regarding the fitness of Erling Haaland as his side prepares for tomorrow’s Premier League clash with Liverpool at the Etihad.

The Norwegian, who joined the Sky Blues from Borussia Dortmund in the summer, is currently nursing a groin injury and missed Norway’s Euro qualifiers against Georgia and Spain recently.

He hasn’t been spotted in Manchester City training this week but the Spanish boss has still not ruled his 42-goal forward out of the clash with Jurgen Klopp’s side.

READ MORE: ‘We are busy’ – Jurgen Klopp makes ‘positive’ admission regarding Liverpool’s summer transfer plans

The former Barcelona and Bayern Munich manager instead claimed he will assess the 22-year-old later today and then make a decision ahead of tomorrow’s lunchtime kick-off.

Phil Foden has been ruled out of the game after recently undergoing surgery to have his appendix removed.

Klopp, meanwhile, has ruled Thiago Alcantara, Naby Keita and Luis Diaz out of the game while Darwin Nunez and Joe Gomez are back fit after recovering from their respective knocks.

It really wouldn’t surprise us if Haaland was named in the starting XI tomorrow, or at least the City squad, as Guardiola is known for trying to play mind games when it comes to ‘injured’ players.

Check Guardiola speaking below via @SkySportsNews:

Pep Guardiola says Man City will assess whether Erling Haaland will be fit to feature against Liverpool later today pic.twitter.com/wZn1kuLF11

— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) March 31, 2023

The post (Video) Pep Guardiola refuses to rule Erling Haaland out of Liverpool clash despite groin injury appeared first on The Empire of The Kop.

Erling Haaland appeared to be missing from Manchester City training today ahead of Liverpool’s visit to the Etihad Stadium on Saturday.

The 22-year-old had to withdraw from the Norway squad for the March international break due to a groin problem (Daily Mail), which has possibly put his involvement this weekend into doubt.

The Premier League champions shared photos from the training ground yesterday on their official website, with no sign of the top flight’s leading goalscorer in any of them, and he seemed to have sat out this morning’s session also.

Sky Sports News‘ Peter Stevenson was reporting live from Man City’s training ground, with their footage showing no sign of Haaland among the players who were being put through their paces.

The striker would be a major miss for Pep Guardiola’s side if he’s not fit enough to feature against Liverpool, having netted a phenomenal 42 goals already this season, eight of which came in his last two matches (Transfermarkt).

Nonetheless, it must be stated that his apparent absence from training today doesn’t strictly mean he won’t feature on Saturday, with just under 48 hours still to go before kick-off at the Etihad.

You can see the footage of Man City training, as shown on Sky Sports News this morning (via @footballdaily on Twitter):

Erling Haaland 𝗡𝗢𝗧 spotted in Manchester City training pic.twitter.com/PcqKyLd8KD

— Football Daily (@footballdaily) March 30, 2023

The post (Video) Erling Haaland seemingly missing from Man City training ahead of Liverpool clash appeared first on The Empire of The Kop.

Liverpool fans may have noticed one significant absentee from training ground photos shared by Manchester City today.

The Reds travel to the Etihad Stadium to face the Premier League champions on Saturday as the club season resumes following the international break, with Jurgen Klopp’s side facing 12 pivotal games in their pursuit of a top-four finish.

Pep Guardiola’s side were dealt a major body blow last week when Erling Haaland was forced to pull out of the Norway squad due to a groin injury (Daily Mail), which has placed his potential involvement this weekend into doubt.

On Wednesday, Manchester City shared a gallery of training images on their official website and Twitter channel, with many of those who were away on national team duty having now returned to their club.

However, their Norwegian hotshot was nowhere to be seen, with Phil Foden also absent as he recovers from surgery on removal of his appendix, which will definitely rule him out of the Liverpool game (as per BBC Sport).

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If Haaland is unable to feature on Saturday, it’d no doubt be a massive loss to Guardiola’s team, with the 22-year-old scoring a scarcely believable 42 goals in 37 matches this season (Transfermarkt).

Eight of those came in his last two games, with an FA Cup hat-trick against Burnley following on from the extraordinary feat of scoring five in a Champions League knockout round clash against RB Leipzig.

That said, it’s worth bearing in mind that his apparent absence from training today doesn’t strictly mean he won’t be playing against Liverpool, with City potentially nursing him back carefully so as not to aggravate his groin problem.

In any event, the Reds would still need to be at their most disciplined to curtail an attack which will likely feature potent threats such as Riyad Mahrez and Julian Alvarez.

Haaland would be a major absentee on Saturday if he doesn’t recover in time, and him missing the game could make the Merseysiders’ task slightly less daunting.

However, City still have a plethora of dangerous players who can win matches on their own, and we wish the Norwegian well in his recovery from his groin injury.

You can see the full gallery of training images on City’s official website and Twitter.

Ep73 of The Empire of the Kop Podcast: Author chat with Chris Roberts on Football, Mental Health… and more!

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