Haaland to return - Man City predicted XI vs Liverpool FC

15.10.2022 - 12:45 / manchestereveningnews.co.uk

Manchester City have no fresh injury concerns for their trip to Anfield to face Liverpool on Sunday, with Erling Haaland fit and expected to return to the starting line-up.

Haaland remained on the bench for the entirety of City's goalless draw with FC Copenhagen in the Champions League on Tuesday, the first time he has done so this season. His incredible start to life at the Etihad Stadium - he's scored 20 goals in 13 matches - has made the 22-year-old undroppable, but Pep Guardiola explained that the striker was tired and didn't recover well from the Southampton game last weekend.

That will be music to the ears of City fans, some of whom might have been worried about a timely revival in form for Liverpool and Mohamed Salah in particular. The Egyptian forward scored the fastest hat-trick in Champions League history during a 7-1 demolition of Rangers on Wednesday, so City will need to be at their best this weekend.

READ MORE: Man City give injury update on Erling Haaland and five other players for Liverpool FC fixture

Haaland is of course expected to start, and it seems likely that Phil Foden and Jack Grealish will join him in City's front line. Foden started Tuesday's match on the bench for the same reasons as Haaland, but Guardiola has confirmed that the England star will be fine for Sunday.

Grealish did not enjoy his finest evening in Copenhagen, but he remains in good form and his ability to keep hold of the ball could come in handy against a Liverpool team that can launch devastating counter-attacks when given the chance.

Like Foden and Haaland, Bernardo Silva was deemed too tired to start midweek so he should return, while Kevin de Bruyne and Rodri are sure-starters.

Kyle Walker and John Stones remain unavailable