Haaland: Aiming for Redemption Against Liverpool and World Cup Glory with Norway

Erling Haaland faced frustration during his breakthrough season in Salzburg when he was substituted in a 2-0 defeat against Liverpool. His initial encounter with the Merseysiders in a Manchester City jersey came during the 2022 Community Shield, where he was unexpectedly overshadowed by Darwin Nunez in a 3-1 loss.

In that match, Haaland touched the ball only 14 times and missed a crucial opportunity, hitting the crossbar from a rebound within the six-yard box. Manager Pep Guardiola exhibited patience, stating, “He didn’t score. Another day he will score. He has incredible quality, and he will do it. He is going to help us a lot.”

Guardiola’s assessment proved accurate, as Haaland scored twice against West Ham in his subsequent game, marking the beginning of his record-breaking journey towards 36 goals in a Premier League season. However, his contributions have yet to secure a victory for City against Liverpool in the league.

In their next league meeting in October 2022, Haaland again failed to find the net during a heated 1-0 defeat at Anfield. He did manage to score in a Carabao Cup clash at the Etihad Stadium two months later, but an injury kept him from participating in their next encounter. City, however, thrived without him, achieving a convincing 4-1 victory en route to claiming the Premier League title.

In November 2023, Haaland netted in a 1-1 draw against Liverpool, but he has not scored against them since, failing to find the back of the net in subsequent matches, including a 2-0 loss at Anfield. Consequently, he remains without a league win against Liverpool.

Haaland had hoped to capitalize on Liverpool’s struggles between late September and the end of October, where they lost six out of seven matches, conceding 14 goals. However, their recent performances against Aston Villa and Real Madrid indicated a return to form, reminiscent of the squad that dominated the previous season and secured a double over City.

Acknowledging the challenge, Haaland stated, “We need to perform as a team and must be unified in our approach against Liverpool. We must be prepared, as this will not be an easy match. The rivalry between Manchester City and Liverpool has been remarkable over the years, driving each other to improve and contend for the title. It will be a tough game, and we need to be at our best.”

Currently, Haaland is in exceptional form, having scored 18 goals in 14 matches across the Premier League and Champions League, along with an additional nine goals in three matches for Norway. This totals 27 goals in 17 games for club and country, positioning him to surpass his remarkable tally of 57 goals from the 2022-23 season. He remarked, “It’s been a good start, and I feel really good. I believe this is the best version of myself. I’ve never felt better than I do now.”

Last month, Haaland shared insights into his rigorous daily routine, which includes red-light therapy, massages, ice baths, saunas, and a diet rich in fresh fish, steaks, and raw milk. Following his goal against former club Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday, marking five goals in four Champions League matches, he reiterated the significance of this routine to maintain his goal-scoring prowess.

He explained, “To stay sharp, I must keep my mind focused, recover effectively, receive ample treatment, and consume the right foods. I connect on the pitch when necessary and relax as much as possible at home. It’s about maintaining energy levels, staying motivated, and doing what’s beneficial for my body and mind.”

When asked about surpassing Alan Shearer’s all-time Premier League goal tally of 260, Haaland stated, “Not to sound arrogant, but which record?” He emphasized the importance of focusing on team success rather than individual milestones, indicating, “Thinking about records is the last thing on my mind. I concentrate on helping the team win football matches.”

However, a pressing challenge occupies his thoughts: aiding Norway in qualifying for the World Cup. After the match against Liverpool on Sunday, his focus will shift to Thursday’s crucial qualifier against Estonia, followed by a decisive away match against Italy.

Haaland has been instrumental for Norway, leading their World Cup qualification campaign with 12 goals as they remain undefeated in six matches. A victory against Estonia could secure their first World Cup appearance since 1998, with Haaland predicting “the biggest party ever” should qualification be achieved. He boldly claimed that participating in a World Cup would rival, if not surpass, the satisfaction of all the trophies he has won with City. “The last World Cup for Norway was in 1998, two years before I was born, so this has been my goal for a long time: to lead Norway to a World Cup and Euros. I now have a significant chance to accomplish this, and it’s about seizing the opportunity.”

With the potential for a once-in-a-generation achievement for his country and the chance for his first league win against Liverpool at stake, this week is pivotal in Haaland’s career.

Nevertheless, he remains level-headed, stating, “I try not to focus on external expectations. It’s important for me to maintain my mental focus and not overthink it. While there are numerous expectations, I prioritize staying in my zone.”

Currently, Haaland’s form presents a formidable challenge for opponents, particularly Liverpool, the one team that has managed to navigate his threat relatively unscathed.