Premier League news LIVE: Erling Haaland latest and injury updates from today’s press conferences
The Premier League is back following the international break as Manchester City’s clash with Liverpool kicks off the weekend’s fixtures
Manchester City striker Erling Haaland, Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard and Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana are set to be fit as the Premier League returns from the November international break this weekend.
All three players withdrew or were absent from their international squads over the past fortnight but are set to be available for their respective fixtures. Haaland was considered to be an injury doubt after picking up a knock in Norway’s friendly win against the Faroe Islands, but Pep Guardiola is hopeful he will be ready to face Liverpool in Saturday’s top-of-the table clash.
The battle between Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp kicks off when should be a fascinating run of fixtures leading up to Christmas and beyond. Along with the fight for first place, there’s the battle for fourth with Aston Villa, Manchester United, Newcastle and Brighton all chasing down Tottenham who currently sit in the final Champions League place. Villa face Spurs this weekend while United host Everton.
Speaking of the Toffees, they are once again in the midst of a relegation battle having been deducted 10-points for breaking the Premier League’s financial rules. The deduction sees them drop down to 19th above Burnley, and puts them two points away from safety.
Follow along for the latest updates and injury news from the Premier League:
‘Man City is a big one’ says Klopp
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp spoke about the challenge of facing Manchester City and says they have been the strongest team in the world for years.
He said: "Saturday is a big one, no doubt, against the strongest team in the world for the last years. That is a massive task for each football team in the world and for us as well, but we will give it a try anyway."
Klopp on Liverpool’s defeat to City last season
When Liverpool took on Manchester City at the Etihad last year they fell to a 4-1 defeat in a result that summed up to differences between the sides in 2022/23.
This year’s competition is a closer affair and Klopp isn’t keen on looking back at that defeat.
"I can’t remember the line-up last season and I do not want to compare, we had to improve from last season, that was clear,” said the Liverpool boss.
"I actually think we would have improved even without the changes as last season was just not good enough, it was not ourselves. We had to make changes and we did that.
"So far it looks like we brought in good players and now we have to make sure we bring that consistency on the pitch."
Guardiola gives aon update on Haaland’s fitness
Man City boss Pep Guardiola is also giving a press conference right now and provided an update on Erling Haaland’s fitness:
“Erling Haaland trained yesterday with some niggles, but yes [he could be fit], today is the last training session and hopefully he can be part of that.”
Ten Hag’s update on Shaw and Onana
Man Utd boss Erik Ten Hag issued his injury updates and feels confident that Andre Onana and Luke Shaw will be fit to feature against Everton.
He said: “Andre [Onana] is OK. He’s been in training today and I think he is good. With Rasmus [Hojlund] I feel it is a close finish.
“He’s training and he’s outside making good steps. We have to wait until tomorrow before making a final decision. Luke Shaw will be available on Sunday and will be in the squad.”
Postecoglou on Spurs’ back-to-back defeats
Ange Postecoglou won’t change his style of play despite Tottenham slipping to back-to-back defeats just before the international break.
“The last two results haven’t been great but I guess my point is, as I’ve said all along, we’re at the beginning of trying to build something.” he said,
“It’s always important wherever I’ve been that in the early stages, you stay really focused on that and the kind of football we want to play and not allow short-term results, good or bad, to influence how you’re going.
“People will always question and scrutinise our approach, I understand that. It’s not really about me to try and convince people about what we’re going to do, it’s more about internally, the players and staff, staying on course.”
‘Injuries bring opportunities for others’ says Postecoglou
Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou spoke about the issues facing his squad at present but admits that absences create opportunities for other players.
“The back four is the major issue for us at the moment.” he said, “We’re really low on depth there, midfield as well. That’s just the period we’re going through at the moment.
“We’ve got a lot of absences, our numbers are down, but it’s also a time when other guys get an opportunity.
“In this early phase, it’s about trying to expose as many people as we can to see how we cope playing our football under stress when there are changes and against different types of opposition.”
Andre Onana fit to face Everton
Manchester United’s main goalkeeper will be fit to face Everton this weekend despite suffering a groin injury on international duty for Cameroon.
Luke Shaw returned to training for the first time in three months on Wednesday ane is going to be included in the squad that will travel to Goodison Park.
Striker Rasmus Hojlund and midfielder Christian Eriksen are also doubts after picking up injuries in the 1-0 win over Luton before the international break but will be assessed before the match.
United remain without Lisandro Martinez, Casemiro, Jonny Evans and Tyrell Malacia.
Ange Postecoglou on Spurs’ injuries
Tottenham manager, Ange Postecoglou, gave an update on his squad’s injury problems and says that Pape Sarr will be assessed before this weekend’s game.
He said: “Micky (Van de Ven) and Madders have no real update, the same as a few weeks back.
“We had a couple of issues out of the international break. Ash Phillips picked up an ankle injury with the England team, he’s out for a little while. We’re still assessing it but it’s at least probably a month.
“We’re just checking on Pape Sarr who has got a bit of an issue coming back from the national team. He didn’t train today, we’ll see how he is tomorrow.
“Aside from that, (Yves) Bissouma is suspended but we’ll get Destiny (Udogie) back. Everyone else is ok.”
Guardiola vs Klopp
Pep Guardiola takes on Jurgen Klopp in the first match of the Premier League’s return as Manchester City host Liverpool in tomorrow’s early kick off.
The two bosses have faced each other more than they’ve faced any other manager in their careers.
Klopp’s 11 wins is the most any manager has managed against Guardiola.
Guardiola’s 10 victories against the German is the most any manager has recorded against Klopp.
Wolves’ injury updates
Wolves have injury concerns ahead of their journey down to London to face Fulham but Gary O’Neill largely has fully-fit squad to select from.
Craig Dawson is ruled out through suspension after he collected his fifth yellow card of the season in the last-gasp win over Tottenham while Joseph Hodge (shoulder) remains sidelined alongside Nathan Fraser (quad).
Matt Doherty and Mario Lemina are could feature.
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