Man City vs Liverpool: Will Erling Haaland start against Reds Today?

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Manchester City face Liverpool in a Premier League match at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday (February 23), and this fixture carries significant weight for both teams.

City struggled at the season's start and couldn't recover, while injuries to players compounded their difficulties throughout the campaign. City now placed fourth with 44 points after 25 matches, trailing Liverpool by 17 points in the table.

Liverpool are leading the league with an eight-point cushion over Arsenal, and a victory would further cement their position at the summit. City seeks to bounce back from their midweek Champions League elimination by Real Madrid, while simultaneously attempting to narrow the gap in the league standings.

In their last meeting, Liverpool secured a 2-0 win at Anfield in December, and they now aim to achieve a Premier League double over City. Eying the importance of the match, both teams will likely field their strongest available lineups, though City's selection hinges on player fitness.

Is Erling Haaland Fit to Start Against Liverpool?

Questions surround Erling Haaland's participation in Sunday's mega clash, as the striker sustained a right knee injury during City's last week's 4-0 victory over Newcastle United and subsequently missed the Champions League clash against Real Madrid. However City Manager Pep Guardiola maintains uncertainty about Haaland's condition, and during Friday's press conference, he simply stated, "Don't know yet. Tomorrow, we'll know."

What Haaland's Injury Means to Man City? Who Will Be the Replacement?

Haaland's potential absence compounds City's injury crisis, as John Stones and Manuel Akanji remain sidelined with their respective injuries, while Stones faces possible surgery for his quadriceps issue and Akanji recovers from thigh surgery.

City's new signing Omar Marmoush, who impressed with a hat-trick against Newcastle, emerges as the most probable replacement for Haaland, though Guardiola emphasizes focusing on the available players rather than dwelling on absences.

City possesses the depth to modify their tactical approach without Haaland, and Guardiola might opt to deploy Marmoush as a direct replacement or experiment with a false nine system, though the team must deliver a commanding performance to secure victory. The final decision on Haaland's fitness could prove decisive in this crucial encounter.