Erling Haaland scored 25 goals in his first 23 games for Man City this season.
But he has just four in his last 17.
And two of them were penalties.
The composure to convert a last-gasp winner from the spot at Anfield cannot be dismissed but there’s no doubt, Haaland’s lack of goals in 2026 must now be considered a concern.
He will, of course, return to his previous form. But what do City do right now?
Last weekend, at Newcastle in the FA Cup, with Haaland out with a knock and Omar Marmoush leading the line, City were excellent. Pep Guardiola hailed it as his side’s best-ever performance at St James’ Park.
Against Real Madrid in midweek, Haaland was back in the XI – and touched the ball just 10 times in 81 minutes, failed to have a shot and City were beaten 3-0.
Different games, different situations and Guardiola has praised phases of City’s play at the Bernabeu.
But with no margin of error for City in this next week – against West Ham in the Premier League, where they can’t afford to give Arsenal any more advantage, in the return fixture with Real, and in the Carabao Cup final against the Gunners – Guardiola must get his selections spot-on.
Whisper it but does that mean Haaland sits out for Marmoush?
Man City have won eight of the nine games they’ve played without Haaland in the starting line-up this season. That’s a win percentage of 89 per cent.
Their win percentage with him in the starting line-up this season is 62 per cent, with 23 wins from 37 games.
City have shown they can achieve high-level performances and results without Haaland in the team. But will Guardiola go for that option again at West Ham or in the upcoming big games with Real Madrid and Arsenal?
Or will he try to find a solution to get his star forward firing again?
It’s the big question in this crucial moment of the season for Man City…
