How Manchester City could line up against Liverpool

The 22-year-old was forced to pull out of the Norway squad ahead of the international break due to a groin problem and he spent time at a hospital in Barcelona to undergo examinations.

Haaland was not pictured training with his teammates on Thursday, while the player's father revealed last week that the Premier League's top scorer is "touch and go" for the lunchtime kickoff against Liverpool.

One player who will definitely miss the visit of Jurgen Klopp's side is Phil Foden, who could be sidelined for at least four weeks after undergoing surgery to remove his appendix last weekend.

Pep Guardiola is expected to make a number of changes to the side that beat Burnley 6-0 in the FA Cup quarter-finals two weeks ago, with goalkeeper Ederson and defenders John Stones and Nathan Ake - the latter of whom scored twice for the Netherlands in a 3-0 win over Gibraltar on Monday - all set to be recalled to the starting lineup.

Kyle Walker could retain his place at right-back, although the potential inclusion of Ake at left-back will likely see Rico Lewis drop to the substitutes' bench.

Kevin De Bruyne, Rodri and Ilkay Gundogan could all line up in centre-midfield, and while Bernardo Silva is also an option to start in the middle, the Portugal international may start ahead of Riyad Mahrez on the right flank.

Jack Grealish is expected to get the nod on the left side of attack, while Julian Alvarez could operate down the middle if Haaland is not deemed fit to start.

Manchester City possible starting lineup: Ederson; Walker, Stones, Dias, Ake; De Bruyne, Rodri, Gundogan; Bernardo, Haaland, Grealish