Erling Haaland ‘doesn’t rate’ Man City teammate – ‘just look at his face’, says expert
Erling Haaland doesn’t rate Man City teammate Julian Alvarez.
That’s according to ex-Premier League striker Noel Whelan as he assessed City’s surprise 2-1 Premier League defeat to Brentford on Saturday.
Haaland played the full 90 minutes of the match but drew a rare blank and cut a visibly frustrated figure as Ivan Toney’s double secured a memorable win for the visitors.
Alvarez dropped to the bench after starting the previous two Premier League games.
However, he replaced Joao Cancelo for the last 13 minutes of the encounter, which included 10 minutes of stoppage time.
Alvarez did have one opportunity to set up Haaland for a winner when the scores were still 1-1 after he was set free on a City counter-attacker.
But the Argentina international delayed his pass and, when he did eventually try to square it to Haaland, passed behind his teammate, who slipped trying to receive it.
“You could see how frustrated Haaland was,” Whelan told Football Insider. “Watch this. Just look at his face when Alvarez delayed the pass and then passed behind him.
“Talk about dirty looks! Alvarez will feel Haaland doesn’t rate him, if he clocks that.
“It wasn’t Haaland’s best game, and he will be upset not just by the defeat but also by not scoring.
“Those are the incredible standards he sets, although the whole City team were off it today. Brentford deserved their wn”.
The result dented City’s hopes of retaining the Premier League title and means they go into the World Cup break adrift of leaders Arsenal.
The Gunners have a two-point lead over Pep Guardiola’s side before their clash against Wolves on Saturday night.
In other Man City news, Liverpool told to move ‘now’ for superstar with deal already signed.