Erling Haaland fronted up to the waiting media after his late star turn in Manchester City’s 2-1 win over Liverpool at Anfield, which renews the title hopes of Pep Guardiola’s men
12:03, 09 Feb 2026Updated 12:05, 09 Feb 2026
Erling Haaland (C) celebrates after scoring the winner against Liverpool at Anfield(Image: AFP or licensors)
Erling Haaland admits he has not been good enough recently – but has warned Manchester City’s rivals that he’s about to give them “what everyone deserves and expects” from him.
Haaland insists there are no excuses for his recent performances, but struck the winner in City’s 2-1 win at Anfield on Sunday, as they turned things around late against Liverpool. Haaland also nodded forward for Bernardo Silva to equalise, with the turnaround on Merseyside allowed travelling fans to see their first victory at the ground since 2003, while also catapulting the Blues back into the title race.
Haaland now has 21 Premier League goals to his name this term, four ahead of Brentford’s Igor Thiago in the race for the golden boot. However, it is now nine league games since he last scored from open play.
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There have been suggestions that the Norwegian, who has had a heavy workload in the past six months, with both City and his country, who are heading to next summer’s World Cup. And that wasn’t helped by Omar Marmoush being away with Egypt at the Africa Cup of Nations during the most congested part of the campaign.
But Haaland, 25, rejected tiredness as a reason behind his recent form and is focusing on self-improvement – and firing City closer to league leaders Arsenal.
“I haven’t scored enough goals since the start of this year, you can say, and I know that I need to improve,” he said.
“I know I need to be more sharp, better at all of this and this is something that I have to work on. I have to keep going because this is what everyone deserves and expects.
“I don’t want to speak about why I haven’t performed. I don’t think there’s any excuse. Fatigue is a lot is in the head. It’s a lot of games.
“Look at the schedule, it’s not easy, and for me, it’s about staying fit, don’t get injured. That’s the most important thing. And try to be ready to help the team.”
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