Erling Haaland 'vulnerable' after aggravating injury ahead of Liverpool clash

Erling Haaland went down hurt during Norway's 2-0 win over the Faroe Islands on Thursday after twisting his ankle.

The 23-year-old Manchester City forward came off the bench in the friendly, but was left clutching his ankle minutes before the final whistle.

Though he remained on the pitch for the remaining moments of the game, there are concerns that the Premier League Golden Boot holder has aggravated the same injury he suffered earlier in the season.

Haaland had to come off at half-time for a similar issue during City's 6-1 win over Bournemouth earlier this month, though he quickly returned to action and has scored four times in the two club games since that incident.

Speaking after the Faroe Islands game, Norway team doctor Ola Sand revealed to TV2: "It was much of the same that happened against Bournemouth a week-and-a-half ago. He has had it before too.

"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."

The injury scare is bad news for City, with manager Pep Guardiola likely to be left fuming that his star striker was even risked in such a meaningless friendly.

The Daily Mail report that the Norwegian national side has already been in touch with City, while Haaland is being 'monitored' by club therapist, Mario Pafundi, who travels with him on international duty.

The former Dortmund striker would be a huge miss for the Premier League champions if the issue were to cause him to miss the visit of Liverpool to the Etihad Stadium on 25 November.

Haaland has continued the record-breaking form from his maiden campaign in England into 2023/24, with 17 goals in 18 games so far.

Haaland is far from the only injury concern at City ahead of the battle between first and second in the table next week, with fitness issues mounting for Guardiola's side.

Rodri sat out of Spain's 3-1 win over Cyprus on Thursday night with a knock, while Matheus Nunes, Mateo Kovacic and Ederson all missed international duty this month with injury.

Meanwhile, Kevin De Bruyne remains a long-term absentee and defenders John Stones and Nathan Ake both missed the 4-4 draw with Chelsea.