Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola said his Norwegian striker Erling Haaland is “the best striker in the world,” but refrained from confirming whether he would start him in the top-of-the-table clash against Liverpool on Sunday in the English Premier League.
Haaland has only scored two goals in his last two matches, and Guardiola kept him on the bench during City’s 3-1 win over Newcastle on Wednesday in the Carabao Cup semi-final second leg. When he came on in the 71st minute, the Norwegian striker did not appear to have regained his usual scoring touch.
Praise for Haaland Despite Dip in Numbers
Haaland’s performance has seen a relative decline after a stunning start to the season where he scored 19 goals in 14 matches across all competitions, becoming the fastest player to reach 100 goals in Premier League history.
Haaland scored during Manchester City’s 3-0 win over Liverpool in the eleventh round last November 9th, but Guardiola refused to confirm his starting role in the upcoming match.
The Spanish coach told reporters on Friday: “I don’t know until tomorrow, but all I can say is that Erling is the best. Erling is the best striker in the world.”
Guardiola’s Future with Manchester City
Regarding his future with the club, Guardiola dodged a question about the possibility of his departure, amid speculation that this could be his last season with City, saying: “I have one year left on my contract, which is the same answer I gave two months ago.”
Guardiola, the former Barcelona manager, signed a two-year contract extension in November 2024, keeping him at the Etihad Stadium until June 2027.
Reaffirmation of Humanitarian Stances
The 55-year-old coach reiterated his adherence to his previous statements about the “pain” he feels for the victims of conflicts in Palestine, Ukraine, and Sudan, in response to calls from some leaders in the Jewish community for him to “focus on football.”
He said: “Honestly, I didn’t say anything extraordinary. I don’t understand why I’m not allowed to express my feelings just because I’m a manager. I don’t agree with this view, but I completely respect all opinions.”
He added: “What I essentially said is about the scale of conflicts currently in the world. How many are there? Many, right? I condemn them all, every single one.”
Guardiola has won 18 titles with Manchester City, including six Premier League titles, as well as a Champions League title.
Manchester City
Manchester City is a professional football club based in Manchester, England, founded in 1880 as St. Mark’s (West Gorton). It has a long history in English football, achieving its greatest period of success in the 21st century following its acquisition by the Abu Dhabi United Group in 2008, which led to multiple Premier League titles and a transformation into a European football powerhouse.
Liverpool
Liverpool is a historic port city in northwest England, which grew to global prominence during the 18th and 19th centuries due to its pivotal role in trade, including the transatlantic slave trade, and as a major emigration port. Its cultural significance is recognized worldwide, notably through its status as the birthplace of The Beatles and its UNESCO-designated waterfront, though its Maritime Mercantile City status was later revoked.
Etihad Stadium
Etihad Stadium is a major football stadium in Manchester, England, and has been the home of Manchester City F.C. since 2003. Originally built for the 2002 Commonwealth Games, it was later converted into a football-specific venue and renamed after its sponsorship agreement with Etihad Airways in 2011.
Manchester
Manchester is a major city in northwest England, historically renowned as a global centre for textile manufacturing during the Industrial Revolution. Its rapid 19th-century growth, fuelled by the cotton trade, earned it the nickname “Cottonopolis” and shaped its identity as a powerhouse of innovation and industry. Today, it is known for its influential music scene, sporting institutions, and its transformation into a modern cultural and economic hub.
Britain
Britain is a sovereign island nation in northwestern Europe with a rich history spanning millennia, including Roman settlement, the formation of the medieval kingdoms of England and Scotland, and the rise and dissolution of the vast British Empire. Its modern constitutional monarchy and parliamentary democracy have been profoundly shaped by events like the Magna Carta, the English Civil War, and the Industrial Revolution. The nation is globally influential in language, law, and culture, comprising the countries of England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
English Premier League
The English Premier League is the top professional football division in England, founded in 1992 when clubs from the Football League First Division broke away to form a new commercially independent league. It has since grown into one of the world’s most popular and lucrative sports leagues, known for its global fanbase and competitive nature.
Newcastle
Newcastle upon Tyne is a historic city in northeast England, founded as a Roman settlement and later developing around a Norman castle built in 1080. It became a major industrial and shipbuilding centre during the 18th and 19th centuries, powered by the coal mining of the surrounding region. Today, it is known for its iconic Tyne Bridges, vibrant cultural scene, and its prestigious universities.
Carabao Cup
The Carabao Cup is the current name for England’s primary annual knockout football tournament for professional clubs, historically known as the Football League Cup. It was established in 1960 to provide clubs outside the top division with a greater opportunity to win a major trophy and secure European qualification. The competition is now named after its title sponsor, the Thai energy drink brand Carabao.
Premier League
The Premier League is the top professional football division in England, founded in 1992 when clubs from the Football League First Division broke away to form a new commercially independent league. It has since grown into one of the world’s most popular and lucrative sports leagues, known for its global fanbase and competitive nature.
Barcelona
Barcelona is a historic Mediterranean port city and the capital of Catalonia, Spain, with origins dating back to a Roman colony in the 1st century BC. It is globally renowned for its unique architecture, most notably the modernist masterpieces of Antoni Gaudí like the Sagrada Família, and its vibrant cultural life centered around landmarks such as the Gothic Quarter.
Palestine
Palestine is a historical and cultural region in the Eastern Mediterranean, with a deeply rooted history as a crossroads for major civilizations and religions, including Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Its modern history is marked by the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, following the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948 and the subsequent displacement and occupation affecting the Palestinian people.
Ukraine
Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe with a rich history dating back to the medieval state of Kyivan Rus. It has experienced periods of independence, foreign rule, and was a founding republic of the Soviet Union before regaining its sovereignty in 1991. The country is known for its diverse cultural heritage, Orthodox Christian cathedrals, and the Black Sea coastline.
Sudan
Sudan is a country in Northeast Africa with a rich history as the home of ancient Nubian kingdoms, such as Kush, which rivaled Egypt. It later became the site of the Sultanate of Sennar and, in the 19th century, was ruled jointly by Egypt and Britain before gaining independence in 1956. The country is also known for its numerous archaeological sites, including the pyramids of Meroë.
Champions League
The UEFA Champions League is an annual European club football competition organized by the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA). It was first introduced in the 1955–56 season as the European Champion Clubs’ Cup, evolving into its current group and knockout format in 1992. It is widely considered the most prestigious club tournament in world football.
