Why Haaland And Semenyo’s Return To Training Doesn’t Ease Our Nerves About Sunday
Manchester City have landed some timely fitness news of their own this week, with Erling Haaland and Antoine Semenyo both back in training ahead of Sunday’s trip to Anfield. From our side of the fence, that is hardly the update we wanted to hear two days out from a game that already looked like the toughest on Liverpool’s calendar so far this season.
A Visitor Nobody Should Be Taking Lightly
Enzo Maresca’s side arrive unbeaten, having won every one of their opening five league matches, a run capped by a 5-3 win over Sunderland just before the international break. That sort of form, allied to the depth City can call on, makes this fixture as significant to the early title picture as any we have seen this season. Our view is simple: treat this as a genuine six-pointer rather than just another home game, because City have given us no reason yet to think otherwise.
Haaland’s Nations League Withdrawal Looks Like Nothing More Than Caution
Haaland was taken off during Norway’s Nations League defeat to Portugal last weekend, which understandably set off a few alarm bells given what is at stake on Sunday. The explanation doing the rounds, though, is that the substitution was precautionary, with fatigue rather than any fresh injury behind the call. He was back out with his Manchester City teammates on Thursday, which points toward him being available for selection at Anfield. We would rather Liverpool’s defenders not have to deal with him at all, but there was never much chance of City resting him for a game of this size.
Semenyo’s Scare With Ghana Fades Just In Time
Semenyo’s situation followed a similar pattern. He withdrew from Ghana’s squad during the international break with a swollen leg, and Ghana FA president Kurt Okraku later explained that the forward himself had flagged the issue rather than risk making it worse. Okraku said the leg was swollen and that “we need to treat it,” which suggests this was always about caution rather than a serious knock. Given how well Semenyo has started life in England, that caution made sense. Two goals and three assists in seven appearances is a strong return, and his display in the win over Sunderland, which earned him the Player of the Match award and a shortlisting for the Premier League’s Player of the Month, shows exactly why Maresca will want him sharp for this one.
What It Means For Iraola’s Selection Thinking
It also sharpens the decisions facing Andoni Iraola. Planning for a City side without their two most dangerous attackers is one thing, planning for a fully fit Haaland and a Semenyo in form is another entirely, and it changes how Liverpool are likely to approach matters defensively on Sunday. A back line that might have fancied its chances against a weakened front two now has to prepare for City at something close to full strength, which raises the stakes on every individual matchup across the pitch.
Our Take
None of this should come as a surprise to anyone who has watched City operate under Maresca. They manage minutes carefully, and both withdrawals always had the look of sensible precautions rather than genuine fitness crises. For Liverpool and Andoni Iraola, the sensible read is to plan for City arriving at full strength, Haaland and Semenyo included, and to treat Sunday accordingly. Anfield has produced big performances against the division’s best before, and it will need to again if Liverpool are to avoid an afternoon where City’s early-season form is matched by a fully fit forward line.