Pep Guardiola has insisted that Erling Haaland should not put too much pressure on himself to score consistently for Manchester City.
Haaland’s stoppage-time penalty against Liverpool on Sunday not only sealed a 2-1 win for City, but it was also only his third goal in 10 appearances, only one of them coming from open play. Haaland subsequently claimed he needed to improve his performance and refused to blame fatigue for his form. Guardiola, however, praised the contribution of the 25-year-old, who has 28 goals in 36 appearances in all competitions for the club this season.
“We cannot forget that he is not 29 or 30 years old; he is young and is part of the process,” Guardiola said. “Each season he lives, he is a better player for the next. How he knows his body better, how he knows what it means to play every day. We cannot forget the last games. Maybe he doesn’t have the numbers he wants, but we are in the position we are in thanks to him.
“For three quarters of the season, if he didn’t score, I don’t know who’s going to score. We’re in position in the Champions League.” [into the last 16]”And especially in the Premier League, without Erling it wouldn’t be possible.”
Guardiola was impressed with Haaland’s calmness in converting from the penalty spot at the weekend. “It’s not easy. Anfield, 91, 92 minutes, and the situation we have, taken there and taken with this composure, his body language, there was fire in his eyes, and it’s not easy,” he said. “That defines good players. Hopefully he can be lifted. And the reason why he is tired, a little depressed, is due to one reason: the schedule. So no more than that.”
Abdukodir Khusanov has started City’s last 10 games and has impressed. The defender was taken off in the 61st minute at Anfield with a suspected concussion, but tests showed he did not suffer one and will therefore be available for Fulham’s visit to the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday.
Khusanov’s English is not very good, but Guardiola insists there are no communication problems as far as the 21-year-old Uzbek is concerned. “He doesn’t talk like William Shakespeare, but he’s getting better and better. He understands what we want and he’s getting better and better. He’s very intelligent.
“There’s usually this opinion that because he’s so physical, strong and fast, he’s not able to think, but it’s the opposite: he always makes good decisions.”
