Erling Haaland’s father reveals Barcelona hospital visit in worrying fitness update on Man City striker ahead of Liverpool clash

Manchester City’s hospital in Barcelona has welcomed Erling Haaland in recent days after the Norwegian’s withdrawal from international commitments due to injury.

The 22 year-old was recently called up for international duty with Norway this week, ahead of two crunch 2024 European Championship qualifier matches against Spain and Georgia.

However, in a statement released earlier this week, Erling Haaland was forced to withdraw from the camp following a groin problem sustained in Manchester City’s 6-0 win over Burnley in the FA Cup quarter-finals – a game in which Haaland scored a second consecutive hat-trick.

Norway’s national team doctor provided their assessment on Haaland’s withdrawal as part of the official press release, stating, “We hoped that this was just a familiarity that would carry over to Saturday, but after doing tests and examinations yesterday it became clear that he will not make it to the games against Spain and Georgia. It is better that he receives medical follow-up at the club.”

Now, speaking in an exclusive interview with Norwegian media outlet TV 2 Sport, Erling Haaland’s father, Alfie has confirmed that the City striker has since visited the club’s partnership hospital in Barcelona for further assessments on his groin injury.

“Manchester City has a partnership with a hospital in Barcelona. He has been there for further checks and treatment,” confirmed Alfie Haaland. “Now, he has been here (in Marbella) for a couple of days with the physio from the club. So he gets good follow-up (following injury).”

Manchester City’s first game back following the international break is a must-win Premier League heavyweight clash against Liverpool at the Etihad Stadium, as the club go in search of a third consecutive top-flight crown.

However, according to Alfie Haaland, Erling’s fitness for the meeting with Jurgen Klopp’s side can be considered “touch and go” at this stage, given the uncertainty surrounding just how much training he will be able to get in before April 1st.

“Firstly, I’m not a doctor and secondly, I think it’s ‘touch and go’, yes. You can’t just go two weeks without training and then jump right into a fight,” admitted Alfie Haaland to TV 2 Sport this week.

“There must be a progression there. They can gamble on it, but if he doesn’t get proper training with the team, then he won’t play… It is about how he responds to treatment in the next few days.

“He needs a lot of care and ‘knuckling’. There are many sprints and there is a lot to move.”

City will be hoping that Haaland can return to full fitness as soon as possible, especially given the magnitude of the fixtures that await them across three competitions throughout the month of April.

While Manchester City continue their pursuit of Premier League leaders Arsenal next month, with fixtures against the likes of Liverpool and Mikel Arteta’s side themselves, both the Emirates FA Cup and Champions League remain priorities.

City travel to Wembley later in the month to take on Championship side Sheffield United in the last-four of the FA Cup, while Joao Cancelo and Bayern Munich await Pep Guardiola and his players in the Champions League quarter-finals.