Manchester City star Erling Haaland left fans shocked for all the wrong reasons on Saturday, missing a point-blank opportunity in the dying embers of the Sky Blues’ 3-1 Community Shield defeat against Liverpool. The Norwegian, who arrived from Borussia Dortmund this summer in a blockbuster £51million deal, struggled to make his mark on Saturday and the late howler will have left an even worse taste in his mouth.
Having a central striker is still something of a novelty for City after winning the Premier League last term without a senior frontman in their squad. And that showed on Saturday, when Liverpool ran out 3-1 winners at the King Power Stadium to win the Community Shield.
Haaland, who arrived in Manchester under the weight of great expectations due to an exceptional goal-scoring record at club and international level, made a series of runs in behind that were ignored by his City team-mates in the first half. When found he showed strength and determination, going close on a couple of occasions, but his frustrating afternoon was capped off in second-half stoppage time.
Phil Foden’s low strike forced Adrian into a low save which was parried straight into Haaland’s path. But from inside the six-yard box, he spooned it onto the top of the crossbar prompting a huge reaction from the crowd.
JUST IN: What Xavi told Chelsea’s Cesar Azpilicueta and Marcos Alonso as Tuchel holds transfer up
Naturally, City fans were left with heads in hands after seeing their new star striker fail to get off the mark, while the miss only added to the party spirit in the Liverpool end as Jurgen Klopp’s side struck the first blow in a battle between two English football heavyweights.
Haaland managed a wry smile after the miss which, it goes without saying, is out of character for a player who bagged 29 goals in 30 games for BVB last campaign. The Sky Blues made a big statement by beating the likes of Real Madrid to his signature, and Liverpool responded by signing a frontman of their own in Darwin Nunez.
DON’T MISS
In stark contrast to his Man City counterpart, Nunez made a huge impact despite coming on as a second-half substitute. Firstly, he headed a ball onto the hand of Ruben Dias to win a penalty that was converted by Mohamed Salah, before stooping to head home in added time, opening his competitive account for the Reds after a big-money move from Benfica.
Trent-Alexander Arnold was also on target for Klopp’s side thanks to a curling effort that took a slight nick off Nathan Ake, while substitute Julian Alvarez scored City’s only goal. After the final whistle, Guardiola weighed in on Haaland’s performance and what City fans can expect this season.
“It is good for him to see the reality in a new country and a new league but he was there,” he said. “He didn’t score. He has incredible quality and he will do it. He had chances, two or three in the first half and one at the end. He fought a lot and made the movements.”
City have just over a week until they head to the London Stadium to face West Ham in the Premier League, while Liverpool kick off their campaign the day prior against Fulham. Last season Klopp and Guardiola’s sides were separated by just one point after 38 matches, with the Cityzens coming out on top.
For all the latest Sports News Click Here
For the latest news and updates, follow us on Google News.
