Pep Guardiola claims ‘bad moments are coming’ for Haaland following a dream start
Despite his sensational start to life in England, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has insisted that Erling Haaland, like any other striker, will eventually hit a dry spell.
Since moving to the Etihad from Dortmund in the summer, the Norwegian forward has been in incredible form, scoring a staggering 15 goals in nine Premier League games.
That includes hat-tricks against Crystal Palace, Nottingham Forest, and Manchester United, and Haaland will look to add to his tally against Liverpool this weekend when City travel to Anfield for a mouthwatering clash on Sunday.
Guardiola admitted ahead of the game that even he was surprised by how good Haaland has been, but warned that the 22-year-old could face more difficulties in the future.
“The biggest challenge Erling had was to adapt here as quickly as possible – and it happened,” he said in his pre-match press conference.
“He didn’t have any mates. It’s a different lifestyle here in England. In the beginning, this is the most important thing because then he can be himself.
“When a player arrives you always expect the best – and this guy has scored goals wherever he’s been. But I spoke with Erling to see if he was expecting the goals because so far his numbers are unbelievable.
“He’s been here for two or three months – and can still improve. Many bad moments are coming for sure – and in those moments he must say ‘it’s okay, now go for the next one’.
“We were surprised by his mentality. We know his skills, but how he behaves in the bad moments, in those situations. He will maybe go 20 minutes, not seeming to be involved in the game – but he is never out of the game. It is so difficult when you don’t touch the ball but then when it arrives you put it in the net.
“That’s because you always believe you’re in the process. When you have ability and you believe it’s always easier. Haaland is always there, saying ‘I will arrive, I will be there, I will score a goal’.”
Haaland was brought in partly to fill the void left by the departure of City legend Sergio Aguero to Barcelona last summer.
Despite scoring 260 goals for City in all competitions, Aguero never scored at Anfield.
Haaland has already scored at the famous old stadium during his time with Dortmund, but when asked about Aguero’s struggles on Merseyside, Guardiola added:
“It’s a question for Sergio to answer. But the fact is that it’s a football game, 11 against 11, and it is the same as any other game. If it is difficult to score at Anfield it’s because the opponent is difficult.
“It is not because of the stadium. I have never been in Anfield as a striker trying to score a goal, so I haven’t had that feeling.”
Pep Guardiola claims ‘bad moments are coming’ for Haaland following a dream start
