Guardiola praises Haaland as top striker in the world but stays quiet on Liverpool lineup

Pep Guardiola maintained that Erling Haaland stands as the finest striker globally, even while he avoided confirming whether the underperforming Manchester City forward will lead the line in Sundays vital encounter with Liverpool.

Haaland has managed only two goals across his past 12 outings, prompting Guardiola to leave him on the substitutes bench during Manchester Citys 3-1 triumph over Newcastle in the second leg of the League Cup semi-final last Wednesday.

This marks a stark downturn from his explosive beginning to the campaign, when he netted 19 times in 14 fixtures over various tournaments, notably achieving the record as the speediest to attain 100 Premier League strikes.

Manchester City have faltered amid Haalands poor run, slipping six points adrift of Premier League pacesetters Arsenal.

The Norwegian netted during Citys 3-0 victory against Liverpool earlier in the term, though Guardiola declined to disclose his plans for facing Arne Slots outfit this weekend.

"I dont know until tomorrow. But all I say is Erling is the best. Erling is the best striker in the world," Guardiola informed journalists on Friday.

Guardiola evaded queries regarding his personal prospects at the club, amid rising rumours that the current term could mark his final one with City, responding: "I have one more year on my contract. It is the same answer I answered two months ago."

The Spaniard inked a two-year extension back in November 2024, with the agreement slated to conclude in June 2027.

The 55-year-old also stood firm on his earlier remarks concerning the distress he senses for individuals impacted by strife in Palestine, Ukraine, and Sudan, after leaders from the Jewish community urged him to concentrate on the game.

"To be honest I didnt say anything special. I think why should I not express how I feel just because I am a manager? So I do not agree but I respect absolutely all opinions," he stated.

"What I said basically is how many conflicts there are right now around the globe or around the world. How many? A lot, right? I condemn all of them. All of them."