Pep Guardiola offers crucial fitness updates on Erling Haaland and Bernardo Silva ahead of Liverpool clash

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has offered two significant updates in the build-up to the contest with Liverpool on Saturday.

Headlines surrounding Erling Haaland’s fitness have largely dominated the build-up to the clash between City and Liverpool, after the 22 year-old withdrew from Norway duties with a groin problem.

Haaland returned to Manchester City on last Sunday after visits to Barcelona and Marbella, but failed to train with the full squad as they prepared for the return of domestic club action this weekend.

With a number of huge matches also on the horizon this month, including a double-header against Bayern Munich, an FA Cup semi-final against Sheffield United, and a Premier League clash against Arsenal at home, supporters have been left wondering what is the very latest on the star forward.

In a largely positive update on the recovery of the Norwegian striker, Pep Guardiola told BT Sport pitch-side at the Etihad Stadium ahead of kick-off against Liverpool, “He’s much, much better, but not for today. He didn’t feel good. No risk.”

Guardiola also revealed the reasoning behind Bernardo Silva being named among Manchester City’s substitutes bench for the visit of Jurgen Klopp’s side, admitting that the Portuguese midfielder is not at full fitness.

“Bernardo had a stomach virus after the Portugal trip,” Pep Guardiola told BT Sport. “He was training just yesterday. I spoke with him and he is not able to play 90 minutes, he didn’t feel it. But it happens.”

Bernardo Silva shone on international duty with Portugal, and is expected to play a major part in City’s run-in across all three competitions, and his recent bout with illness is unlikely to prevent that.

Manchester City will require nothing other than three points against Liverpool on Saturday afternoon as they look to claw back some of the eight-point deficit they currently succumb to against Arsenal in the top-flight table.