Man City suffer double scare ahead of Liverpool clash as Erling Haaland and Rodri pick up injuries on international duty
Erling Haaland has suffered an injury scare on international duty with Norway, nine days before Manchester City host Liverpool.
The 23-year-old twisted his ankle shortly after coming on as a second-half substitute in the 2-0 friendly win over the Faroe Islands.
Haaland played on until the end of the match but the extent of the damage remains unclear.
It is the striker’s second ankle issue this month after he hobbled off at half-time during City’s 6-1 thrashing of Bournemouth on November 4.
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola had hoped Haaland's ankle troubles were behind him, however, seeing his striker in visible pain on Thursday will cause concern with a busy run of fixtures approaching.
“It was the same as what happened against Bournemouth a week-and-a-half ago. He has had it before too,” said Norway team doctor Ola Sand.
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“He gets a slight twist in his ankle, where he is a bit vulnerable. It hurts a lot right away, and then it goes away pretty quickly. Then we'll see tomorrow how he is then.
"Now he will receive some treatment, then there will be peace and rest and then we will see how he is tomorrow morning.”
Haaland has netted 17 goals in 18 games so far this season and has scored two in five games against Liverpool.
Meanwhile, influential midfielder Rodri is also causing Guardiola a headache ahead of next weekend's Premier League showdown at the Etihad Stadium.
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The 27-year-old reported a 'discomfort' to Spain’s medical staff this week, who subsequently left the star out of the squad to face Cyprus on Thursday.
Rodri's presence has been key for City this season, who lost all three games in September and October when he was suspended.
Guardiola also saw Ederson, Matheus Nunes, Mateo Kovacic and Nathan Ake withdraw from international duty through injury while Kevin De Bruyne, John Stones and Sergio Gomez remain in the treatment room.
Should Guardiola’s worst fears be realised, City could face Jurgen Klopp’s side with just 13 fit players.
The treble winners face a tough run of fixtures after the international break with games against RB Leipzig, Tottenham and Aston Villa coming up.