Pundit suggests Erling Haaland ‘red herring’ after Man City injury update pre-Liverpool
Paul Robinson has insisted he “expects a full-strength” Man City side to face Liverpool on Sunday (16 October) despite Pep Guardiola’s worrying press conference reveal.
The former Spurs and England goalkeeper, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, claimed the 51-year-old may have “thrown a few red herrings out” in the build-up to the clash.
Speaking after Man City’s 0-0 draw against FC Copenhagen on Tuesday (11 October) and quoted by the Manchester Evening News, Guardiola revealed concerns about the fitness levels of Erling Haaland, Bernardo Silva, and Phil Foden.
He claimed Haaland “didn’t recover well” from last week’s win over Southampton, while Foden and Silva were “exhausted” after the victory.
The Norway international has started each of Man City’s nine Premier League games this season – scoring 15 goals.
City sit second in the league, while Sunday’s opponents Liverpool are languishing in 10th place.
Robinson suggested Guardiola was simply managing his players for what was in effect a Champions League dead rubber.
He told Football Insider: “I wouldn’t read too much into what he says.
“He’s a very clever, intelligent man and he manages his players very well – hence his team selection against Copenhagen.
“My understanding is that he might have thrown a few red herrings out in his press conference about players being tired.
“He’ll rotate his team in the Champions League – but I fully expect a full-strength side to take to the field against Liverpool on Sunday.”
Man City have won just one of their last six meetings against perennial title rivals Liverpool.
Haaland struggled for fitness last season, starting just 21 of a possible 34 Bundesliga games for Dortmund.
In other news, pundit lambasts chiefs as BT’s Riyad Mahrez footage analysed at Man City.