Erling Haaland: The Rise, the Dip, and the Quest for Glory

“I’ve scored at Anfield in the Premier League, and you haven’t,” Erling Haaland was playfully reminded by his father, Alfie, during a recent golf outing filmed for his YouTube channel. He quickly retorted, “And I’ve played the World Cup in the USA!” A lighthearted exchange, but one that underscores the weight of expectation on the young striker’s shoulders.

Haaland, of course, has scored at Anfield – in the Champions League with Red Bull Salzburg in 2019. And he’s aiming to add a Premier League goal at the iconic stadium this Sunday when Manchester City face Liverpool. A venue where City’s record is notoriously poor, with only one win in 23 years (during a Covid-19 season with no fans).

A Family Legacy and the American Dream

The conversation with his father also touched on the World Cup. Alfie Haaland represented Norway in the 1994 World Cup held in the United States, and Erling harbors ambitions to follow in his footsteps this June and July when the tournament is co-hosted by the US, Canada, and Mexico. The family connection to American soil adds another layer of intrigue to Haaland’s career.

Recent Form and Guardiola’s Assessment

Despite his undeniable talent, Haaland has experienced a recent dip in form. After a blistering start to the season with 24 goals in his first 14 games, he’s found the net only twice in his last 12 appearances. This has prompted questions and even led manager Pep Guardiola to suggest the striker needed to “clean his mind and body.” Guardiola even expressed a desire for Omar Marmoush’s return from Africa Cup of Nations duty, citing Haaland’s “exhaustion.”

However, Guardiola remains steadfast in his belief in Haaland’s abilities, declaring him “the best striker in the world.” Whether that translates to a starting position against Liverpool remains to be seen. “I don’t know. We’ll decide tomorrow. Always I say: Erling is the best,” Guardiola stated.

The Mid-Season Slump: A Pattern Emerges

Interestingly, this mid-season struggle isn’t new for Haaland. Analysis reveals a pattern of overperforming his expected goals (xG) early in the season, followed by a noticeable drop-off in goals and chances created. This trend was also evident during his time at Borussia Dortmund, suggesting factors beyond the Premier League’s demanding winter schedule are at play.

Similar patterns have been observed in other top Premier League strikers like Mohamed Salah and Harry Kane, but Haaland’s fluctuations appear more pronounced given his exceptionally high standards. Guardiola has consistently defended Haaland during these periods, emphasizing his eventual return to form. “With top scorers… don’t criticise, because he will shut your mouth, that’s for sure,” Guardiola said last year.

City’s Creative Challenges and Haaland’s Role

A deeper look reveals a potential issue with City’s overall creativity. Since Christmas, Haaland has had fewer “big chances” presented to him, coinciding with a dip in form from players like Phil Foden and Tijjani Reijnders, who had previously been contributing to the scoring load. City’s attack has become less potent, impacting Haaland’s opportunities.

Furthermore, data suggests that Haaland isn’t receiving as many passes for his off-ball runs compared to other Premier League center-forwards. However, his teammates, like Jeremy Doku, emphasize the dynamic and adaptable nature of their link-up play.

Leadership and a Changing Squad

Haaland’s role within the team extends beyond scoring goals. Guardiola has included him in City’s captaincy group, recognizing his potential to take on more responsibility. With the departure of experienced players like Ederson, Kevin De Bruyne, and Ilkay Gundogan, Haaland is becoming a more senior figure in the squad.

City’s 2025-26 season has seen a significant overhaul of the team, requiring adaptation to a Premier League increasingly focused on high pressing and duels. Guardiola’s assistant, Pep Lijnders, highlighted the importance of Haaland being in “good spirits” to unlock his goal-scoring potential.

Looking Ahead to Anfield

Despite the challenges, Haaland remains a crucial player for Manchester City. While he’s faced difficulties at Anfield in the past, the current state of both City and Liverpool – attacking but flawed – could create more opportunities for him to add to his impressive goal tally and perhaps even emulate his father’s proudest footballing moments.

Read more about Manchester City’s season at The Athletic.