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"At last!"
Amid a flood of questions surrounding Manchester City's landmark guilty verdict and the potential consequences stemming from over 100 violations of Premier League financial rules, Enzo Maresca was glad to finally encounter a question he could answer definitively — and positively: Erling Haaland will be fit and ready for Sunday's visit to Liverpool.
Beyond all the discussion of unprecedented points deductions, transfer bans, and possible Premier League expulsion, City supporters had to briefly contend with the more pressing concern of a Haaland injury. The Norwegian striker was unable to complete his country's final match of the extended international break, limping off the pitch as his manager lamented the "insane" fixture schedule that had taken its toll on his key player.
However, Haaland's withdrawal turned out to be purely precautionary. All he required was a few days of rest in the sun before returning to Manchester.
"He's good. He's good," Maresca said with relief, clearly welcoming the change of subject. "He went to Marbella, two, three days off, play golf, recovery, and ready for Anfield. He is good. Thank you."
Man City Injuries, Absences for Liverpool Clash
Maresca was only given a brief reprieve from the charges discussion to address Haaland's fitness and therefore offered no update on City's other injury concerns. Antoine Semenyo suffered an ankle problem that kept him out of Ghana's international fixtures this fall, while Nico O'Reilly had to withdraw from England's squad with what Thomas Tuchel called a "minor issue." Both players remain questionable ahead of Sunday's fixture.
Phil Foden will certainly not feature. The out-of-favour England winger is serving the third and final match of a three-game suspension handed down after he petulantly kicked Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes in the chest during last month's derby.
Foden's absence may be offset by the full return of Jérémy Doku. City's dynamic and elusive wide man could be in line for his first Premier League start of a season disrupted by a calf injury picked up against Arsenal in the Community Shield. Doku was left out of Belgium's squad for the fall internationals but did make a brief appearance against Sunderland before the Premier League paused last month.
How Man City's Players Will Approach Anfield Challenge
"It will be a tough game for sure, a tough test," Maresca acknowledged of the challenge awaiting his side at Liverpool's formidable home ground. The Reds were denied the 2013–14 title by Manchester City during the period under scrutiny, and Jürgen Klopp's sides were repeatedly edged out of multiple Premier League titles in the years that followed. If any fanbase is primed to unleash a fierce atmosphere on City's players, it is the supporters who will pack Anfield.
"We need to be ready," Maresca cautioned. "The focus has to be the game, but we know the environment at Anfield is intense. It will probably be even more hostile given the current situation. It will be our responsibility to give our best and win the game.
"Absolutely we can handle the pressure. We have players who have performed in similar situations. Enzo Fernández played in Argentina, where every match feels like going to Anfield. It's not a problem."
"Just try to manage the noise," was Maresca's message, echoing what Haaland had said the day prior. "It's something serious, but at the same time we just need to handle it and focus on what we can do and what we can control — which is to manage the game as well as possible, go to Anfield, and win."