Haaland Gears Up for Crucial Challenge Against Liverpool

Erling Haaland experienced frustration during his time at Salzburg when he faced Liverpool, being substituted in a 2-0 defeat. In his first appearance against Liverpool as a Manchester City player during the 2022 Community Shield, he was notably overshadowed by Darwin Nunez in a 3-1 loss.

In that match, Haaland only touched the ball 14 times and squandered a late opportunity, hitting the crossbar from a rebound within the six-yard box. Pep Guardiola offered measured optimism, stating, “He didn’t score. Another day he will score. He has incredible quality in that regard and will contribute significantly to our success.”

Guardiola’s assessment proved accurate as Haaland bounced back in his next outing, scoring two goals against West Ham, marking the beginning of his record-breaking 36 goals in a Premier League season. However, he has struggled to make an impact against Liverpool in league matches.

In their subsequent encounter in October 2022, Haaland failed to score in a tense 1-0 loss at Anfield. Although he found the net in a Carabao Cup clash at Etihad Stadium two months later, an injury kept him sidelined for their next league meeting, which City won 4-1 en route to the Premier League title.

In November 2023, he managed to score in a 1-1 draw against Liverpool, but has since been unable to find the net against them in several matches, including a 1-1 draw and a 2-0 loss at Anfield. His absence in last season’s 0-2 defeat at the Etihad due to injury only added to his frustrations, leaving him still without a Premier League victory over Liverpool.

Despite Liverpool’s struggles between late September and October, where they lost six of seven matches, Haaland remains cautious. He emphasized the need for teamwork, stating, “We need to perform as a cohesive unit, both in attack and defense. The competition between Man City and Liverpool has been intense in recent years, driving both teams to improve and compete for the title. We must be at our best for this challenging match.”

Currently, Haaland is in exceptional form, having scored 18 goals across 14 matches for City in both the Premier League and Champions League, along with nine goals for Norway in three matches. This totals 27 goals in 17 games, putting him on track to surpass his impressive tally of 57 goals for club and country in the previous season. He expressed confidence in his abilities, stating, “It’s been a great start, and I feel fantastic. I believe this is the best version of myself. I’ve never felt better.”

Recently, Haaland shared insights into his recovery routine, which includes red-light therapy, massages, ice baths, saunas, and a diet focused on fresh fish, steaks, and raw milk. After scoring against Borussia Dortmund to achieve five goals in four Champions League matches, he reiterated the significance of his regimen in maintaining his scoring prowess.

When asked about the prospect of breaking Alan Shearer’s all-time Premier League goal record, Haaland responded, “Not to sound arrogant, but which record?” He emphasized that focusing on personal milestones is not his priority; instead, his focus lies in helping his team secure victories.

However, a pressing challenge weighs on his mind: leading Norway to World Cup qualification. Following the match against Liverpool, his attention will shift to the crucial qualifiers against Estonia and Italy. Haaland has been pivotal in Norway’s campaign, contributing 12 goals as the team aims for its first World Cup appearance since 1998.

Haaland predicted an extraordinary celebration if Norway qualifies, stating that participating in the World Cup would be as fulfilling, if not more so, than the trophies he has secured with City. “This has been my goal for a long time: to lead Norway to a World Cup and Euros. Now, I have a strong opportunity to achieve it, and I must seize this moment.”

With a potentially life-changing achievement for his country at stake and the chance to secure his first league victory against Liverpool, this week holds significant importance for Haaland. Yet, he remains composed, stating, “I try not to dwell on expectations. It’s crucial for me to stay focused and not overthink. There are many expectations, but I aim to remain in my zone.”

Currently, Haaland’s zone is exceptionally formidable for opposing teams, and Liverpool, the one team that has managed to keep him relatively at bay, will soon face the challenge head-on.