When Erling Haaland was ruled out of Manchester City's Premier League clash with Liverpool, it came as a blow. The striker has registered 42 goals in 37 matches this season, so his absence was always going to be felt. Yet, Pep Guardiola's side showed that they are still capable of thriving without the frontman.
The Norwegian ace has scored once in his three games against Jurgen Klopp's side this term, so he will have been desperate to be on the pitch to try and change that record. However, even with Guardiola giving Haaland time to prove his fitness before Liverpool's visit to the Etihad Stadium on Saturday, it was always going to be difficult for him to make the game.
The 22-year-old withdrew from the Norway squad during the international break because of a groin injury and missed training with City on Thursday. During the international break, the Norwegian visited a City-affiliated hospital in Marbella to have the injury assessed.
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Given Haaland was not on the team bus, it was initially unclear if he would be at the Etihad for the clash on Saturday. It is not uncommon for injured players to watch matches from the comfort of their own home, but most of them like to be in and around the action where possible.
It took a while for the cameras to find Haaland in the crowd, but he was eventually spotted. The former Borussia Dortmund man was watching the game from a box inside the Etihad, where he could be seen bouncing around in celebration as his side ran riot over Liverpool.
Mohamed Salah put the Merseyside club in the lead in the 17th minute, but Julian Alvarez - who played in place of Haaland - levelled proceedings in the 27th minute. It was all square at the break, but it did not take Guardiola's men long to assert their dominance in the second period.
Kevin De Bruyne and Ilkay Gundogan were both on target as City quickly made it 3-1, before Jack Grealish, who grabbed the assist for the Blues' opener, got on the scoresheet to seal a convincing win in the 74th minute.
After World Cup winner Alvarez scored to make it 1-1, Haaland and City fans alike celebrated jubilantly. The striker's wild reaction in the stands was caught on camera, and he had plenty more to celebrate as the home scored three times in the second-half to secure a 4-1 win.
As well as grabbing everyone and anyone in close proximity to him, the Norwegian ace was also seen performing the iconic Poznan dance. The 22-year-old jumped with his back to the pitch as he showed how pleased he was with the result. The dance - which started back in 2010 during City's Europa League campaign - has regularly been seen in the stands of the Etihad, but watching Haaland take part was the icing on the cake for Blues fans.
Why? Well, if nothing else, it showed that Haaland is totally invested in the club. He only joined City last summer, but the prolific frontman has already adopted the methods of his supporters.
There has been a lot of speculation around who exactly Haaland supports. He was born in Leeds, so there is a connection there. Yet, Alvarez recently claimed the Norwegian ace loves Argentine giants Boca Juniors. Moreover, his father, Alf-Inge, played for City and there have previously been suggestions that Haaland is a fan of the Blues for that reason alone.
Ultimately, it doesn't matter who he supports, but his love for the Blues is clear - and that can only be a good thing for everyone associated with City.
For as long as the striker is at the Etihad, he will be linked with a move away from the club. There will always be a report claiming Real Madrid are preparing to move for him, and there is always the chance his agent will deliver a coy response when asked about his future.
However, his celebrations during City's win over Liverpool show that he is all-in. The striker is close to overtaking his father's appearance tally in a blue shirt, and the majority of people would argue that he has already achieved more than Alf-Inge did at the club. Should he go on to win the Premier League, FA Cup or Champions League, that wouldn't even be a conversation.
Even if Haaland doesn't 'support' City, he clearly loves the club. He celebrates like a fan, and scoring in the famous blue shirt clearly means everything to him. The striker didn't play against Liverpool, but his reaction to the win told the club's fanbase exactly what they want to hear - and see.
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