Pep Guardiola has revealed he was unwilling to take any risks with Erling Haaland and opted not to include him in his matchday squad for Saturday’s 4-1 victory over Liverpool at the Etihad Stadium.

Haaland suffered a groin injury that forced him to pull out of Norway’s squad ahead of their Euro 2024 qualifiers against Spain and Georgia.

Speaking to BT Sport before the 4-1 victory over Liverpool, Guardiola said: “He is much much better but not fully fit for today. He didn’t feel good, we spoke and said no risk.”