“Maybe I play with three false-nines” – Pep Guardiola delivers selection hint amid Erling Haaland uncertainty | OneFootball

Pep Guardiola has suggested how his Manchester City team could set-up against Liverpool on Saturday in the absence of talisman Erling Haaland.

Manchester City risk being without star striker Erling Haaland for this weekend’s crunch Premier League meeting with Liverpool at the Etihad Stadium, as the forward continues to recover from a groin injury which forced him to withdraw from international duty.

The 22 year-old, who has already scored 42 goals for the Blues this season, scored consecutive hat-tricks during wins against RB Leipzig and Burnley prior to the international break.

Haaland has featured in 37 of City’s 43 matches in all competitions so far this season and will be crucial to the Blues’ bid to retain the Premier League title, as City seek to overturn an eight point gap to current league leaders Arsenal.

In the Norwegian strikers absence, Guardiola will be able to call upon World Cup winner Julian Alvarez, who has netted on 12 occasions since joining from River Plate in the summer.

Alvarez scored against Liverpool in the FA Community Shield in July, however should Haaland be unavailable, City manager Pep Guardiola hasn’t ruled out deploying a less orthodox system on Saturday.

“We’ll decide after the training session. Maybe I play with three false-nines, we will see,” said Guardiola on Friday afternoon when asked about his plans in the absence of Haaland.

Alvarez recently signed a new contract at the Etihad Stadium, and despite Haaland’s prolific goalscoring form, Guardiola was full of praise for the Argentinian forward.

“He has shown in the statistics, and minutes, the rate of goals is great. He’s aggressive without the ball. At this early age, the personality, the courage to play – I’m really impressed.

“And every time we play (him) alongside Erling (Haaland), always he has an incredible contribution up front, playing both together.”

Guardiola also praised how his squad have returned to training following the latest international break, with City scheduled to play nine matches across three competitions in April.

“Good. Really good. The feeling is really good,” said the Catalan coach.

“Everyone is committed, the ones who come in make the best contribution and you can see it. You cannot be where we are right now without the contributions of everyone, and performing well – that would not be possible.”