Pep Guardiola has been left sickened by Jamie Carragher’s suggestion that Erling Haaland faked injury to avoid facing Real Madrid bruiser Antonio Rudiger.
Manchester City ’s talismanic striker is a doubt for the clash with Liverpool at the Etihad after missing the Champions League defeat at the Bernabeu on Wednesday night with a knee problem sustained against Newcastle last weekend.
Carragher, the former Kop defender who is now a TV pundit, controversially claimed that Haaland was running scared of Rudiger in his role working as an expert for CBS Sports.
That has drawn an angry response from Guardiola in which the Catalan struggled to contain his shock. Guardiola said: “Oh, God. Did he say that? Jamie Carragher said that? Oh God.
“Don’t laugh. I don’t know why he makes that so suspicious. Did he say that Haaland didn’t want to play the game?
“It’s not nice - and it’s not true. He (Haaland) was crazy to play the game. He had a problem with his knee and he could not play.”
Carragher claimed that Haaland had developed an aversion to Rudiger after a series of physical battles with the hardman German when City travelled to Spain for a second-leg tie that saw them beaten 3-1 to exit the competition 6-3 on aggregate.
Carragher said: “So let me work this out. Haaland has gone to the manager this morning and said he’s not fit? Do you think that has got something to do with Rudiger? Is that because Rudiger is playing?
“He’s on the bench so he can’t be injured. Is it Rudiger-itis? Is that what we’re saying here?”
Guardiola kept his cards close to his chest in regards to Haaland's availability for this weekend, revealing a decision would be left as late as possible.
Asked on Friday, he said: "Don't know yet. Tomorrow we will know it but I don't know. It's better to have Erling on the pitch but obviously, we don't have it but of course with Erling we are stronger."
John Stones could be facing a more lengthy spell on the sidelines, with Guardiola admitted that the defender could require surgery. "He's injured, a difficult one,” Guardiola said of Stones. “Next hours, days we'll know if he needs surgery or not.”
pooopsuy
0
Haaland never score or win game against Rudiger in defense.The last time city scored Madrid 4-0,The defense pairing was militao and Alaba
still Halaand didn't scores against Madrid, Bernardo silva 2goals Akanji 1goals then Alvarez make it 4 nil
steppenwolfxcity
0
honestly I'm sickened by just thinking I will be watching his 1% bald head in few hours..
Deudekmnsz
1
then rudiger scored?
BarcaCitehhh
1
Let's see if Haaland plays against Lpool then he fakes his injury (or to avoid Rudiger) to play against Real Madrid. As usual Pep will shield his players from any bad commentary (albeit it is true) Actually Man City are facing their downfall. Pep's credentials are at stake. He is no god.
So was Rudiger also afraid to face Halaand when he was benched in 4-0 thrashing Thriller
QueriisFiasi
0
and you only have the professional sport of football because of England. you're welcome lol
keep jabbing with false history you're eating up
saacdkmsty
2
Haaland never score or win game against Rudiger in defense.The last time city scored Madrid 4-0,The defense pairing was militao and Alaba
tobilmnsty
0
Did Haaland not play against Rudiger in 2023 when City beat Madrid 4 nil? Carragher hate City because of their success. I hear liverpool fans calling him a legend, how can you call a player who couldn't win a single league title a legend?
what success are u talking about🙄
Mitchello2
1
Stupid pundit
This guy mouth is too big and full of nonsense
themainman
0
Did Haaland not play against Rudiger in 2023 when City beat Madrid 4 nil? Carragher hate City because of their success. I hear liverpool fans calling him a legend, how can you call a player who couldn't win a single league title a legend?
by the way, Rudiger was on the bench in that game ..
teubdnpsz
2
Listen 👂 Jamie Carragher you talking too muchooooo respect your mouth 👄 Pep Guardiola is better than when he's played football ⚽ as coach is best coach in even in England 🏴 Jamie Carragher when you're Liverpool you're always scored own goals so stop 🛑 talking about Pep Guardiola ok 👌 Jamie Carragher go and find club to couch you just sitting down 👇 talking rubbish nothing more
mapbcelt
0
All English pundits are dull and senseless who are still learning what football is. They played kick and run football during their time, so no wonder. They only learned about proper tactics with the influx of foreign coaches.
and you only have the professional sport of football because of England. you're welcome lol
Fudabelsz
0
this English pundits was a flop during his playing days, but always busy criticising others. this statement is very nonsensical
haha any player can win a trophy now. Vallejo has won 2 champions league and he is a flop
sudalmntuz
1
this English pundits was a flop during his playing days, but always busy criticising others. this statement is very nonsensical
but he won cl cup
tampumi
0
To be fair, Haaland is very mindful of injuring his precious legs, this is so evident in the way he plays; no tackles, no serious pressing, just jogging around.
Not true what you are saying
tampumi
0
One day Haaland will cost Pep Guardiola to resign
Why and how
Fudabelsz
2
this English pundits was a flop during his playing days, but always busy criticising others. this statement is very nonsensical
Bocadioyz
0
Jimmy is a talkertive
wepabltuy
0
Did Haaland not play against Rudiger in 2023 when City beat Madrid 4 nil? Carragher hate City because of their success. I hear liverpool fans calling him a legend, how can you call a player who couldn't win a single league title a legend?
No one calls him a legend... most LFC fans don't like him by the way. Stop spreading nonsense.
Ceccdirst
1
carragher is fool
yasuda15
2
Stupid pundit
Singapore739607
1
Jamie Carragher is one big joke tobe a football pundit . Did u see e way he was playing ?? More like a headless chicken running after e ball . He’s better off coaching a school girls team
Kumcdlouz
1
Did you know that Jamie has scored 9 career goals for Liverpool? Seven of those goals are Own Goals and the remaining 2 are also his own goals🤣🤣🥰
Kodacersty
1
Carragher just blurts out nonsense on TV for the sake of entertainment and headlines... How can a retired professional player suggest that a current professional player is faking an injury to avoid doing his job. Did he do that during his own playing days? Disgraceful
QueriisFiasi
1
All English pundits are dull and senseless who are still learning what football is. They played kick and run football during their time, so no wonder. They only learned about proper tactics with the influx of foreign coaches.
Yetablryz
0
Carragher is trying to play mind games with City… He is trying to make City keep Haaland in the bench for Liverpool game to prove he is not fully fit… Even though he is a pundit still at heart he is playing for Liverpool… But to be honest it’s not nice when one professional to the other accuses like that…
no one listen to him. They can't bench dullt fit Haaland to prove him wrong
nellomcfc
1
Did Haaland not play against Rudiger in 2023 when City beat Madrid 4 nil? Carragher hate City because of their success. I hear liverpool fans calling him a legend, how can you call a player who couldn't win a single league title a legend?
fenbciloy
1
One day Haaland will cost Pep Guardiola to resign
Sidcelmsty
1
Nyjole
3
Carragher is trying to play mind games with City… He is trying to make City keep Haaland in the bench for Liverpool game to prove he is not fully fit… Even though he is a pundit still at heart he is playing for Liverpool… But to be honest it’s not nice when one professional to the other accuses like that…
M_cAveli
3
Carragher was one of the useless players whom used to play the Kick and Run football. He is one of the pundits who destroyed Man United with criticism against coaches and players sometimes.
Juocelnrs
4
carragher was a shit of defender during his playing time, I watched him for years Maguire is far better than him.. nw he open his mouth and talks rubbish
vakadinp
1
I have always said that Caragher was a calamity of a defender now he is showing that he has upgraded his level of calamity as a pundit.
FAB-KOP
0
This delusional the thing is cbs is doing what espn does with nba, americans are ruining the game.
jiteloyz
2
ok
Nosabenpru
3
To be fair, Haaland is very mindful of injuring his precious legs, this is so evident in the way he plays; no tackles, no serious pressing, just jogging around.
Janelnptu
4
Carragher was a average player and the same as a pundit.
Bomabclmn
3
Jamie is playing mind games, he doesn't want halland to play against Liverpool. He thinks if he's included in the line up people will think he's not truly injured against Real Madrid. So he says it so that Pep will just bench Halland just to make it look like Jamie was was wrong Halland isn't truly fit to play against Madrid.
Bomabclmn
1
Jamie is playing mind games, he doesn't want halland to play against Liverpool. He thinks if he's included in the line up people will think he's not truly injured against Real Madrid. So he says it so that Pep will just bench Halland just to make it look like Jamie was was wrong Halland is fit to play against Madrid.
Weoabclmsy
2
Let's see if Haaland plays against Lpool then he fakes his injury (or to avoid Rudiger) to play against Real Madrid. As usual Pep will shield his players from any bad commentary (albeit it is true) Actually Man City are facing their downfall. Pep's credentials are at stake. He is no god.
AKBlanks
1
At times some of these so called ex players turned pundits makes it looks like they couldn’t become famous during their playing days and want to be now but only true unnecessary comments about famous players