Jurgen Klopp not fussed if Erling Haaland plays against Liverpool as Man City are ‘not weaker’ without 42-goal man

Jurgen Klopp insists Manchester City without Erling Haaland are ‘not weaker’ as a team.

City could be without their 42-goal scorer for their Premier League clash against Liverpool at the Etihad, with Pep Guardiola set to make a late call on his fitness.

Haaland missed the international break for Norway due to groin injury he picked up against Burnley last time out.

He could be set to return after breaking City’s 94-year-old single-season scoring record with plenty of time to spare, but despite that, Klopp sees the challenge the same either way.

When asked if he has to prepare differently for the 22-year-old, he replied: “Not too much. 

“First and foremost when you prepare a game you prepare all the things to avoid the final pass where Erling really comes into the game and makes all the difference.

“If he doesn’t play that makes City different but not weaker because City’s used to playing without a striker.

“They became champions without a striker so they have different ways of playing.”

While Haaland has stunned for City, another summer signing, Liverpool’s Darwin Nunez, has wiped away doubts for many with some improved performances.

Like Haaland he was also injured in his side’s final game before the international break, but could also return.

“Darwin couldn’t train for two or three days because of the cut on his foot from Real Madrid but today he was back,” Klopp said.

The German also offered a positive update on winger Luis Diaz, who has been injured since October after starting the season as one of the Reds’ best performers.

“Luis is back in short parts of training after a very long time out,” Klopp said. “It’s really great to have him back, such an energiser, such a boost for everybody. 

“He will not train today, this week was the first step back into team training, he did parts of it, next week we will increase that, then he is ready, we have to deal with the intensity but it looks really promising.”