Soccer-Guardiola hopeful Haaland fit to play in top-two clash with Liverpool

FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Premier League - Chelsea v Manchester City - Stamford Bridge, London, Britain - November 12, 2023 Chelsea's Marc Cucurella fouls Manchester City's Erling Braut Haaland to concede a penalty REUTERS/Dylan Martinez

MANCHESTER, England (Reuters) - Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is hopeful prolific scorer Erling Haaland can play against Liverpool on Saturday in a clash between the Premier League's top two teams after he withdrew from the Norway squad during the international break.

Haaland injured his ankle in Norway's 2-0 win over the Faroe Islands on Nov. 16 and returned to City for treatment, missing Norway's game against Scotland.