Overview

• At his pre-match press conference, Pep Guardiola said he “wouldn’t change Erling for anyone” after Arne Slot described Alexander Isak as “maybe the best striker in the world.”
• Liverpool completed the British-record £125 million signing of Isak from Newcastle on deadline day.
• Haaland arrives for the weekend’s fixture after scoring five for Norway in an 11-1 win over Moldova and has three goals in three league matches this season.
• Guardiola said Omar Marmoush will be out for a few weeks, Rayan Ait-Nouri and Rayan Cherki remain sidelined, and John Stones is a doubt.
• The manager also pointed to major recent departures and a reshaped squad as reasons for early inconsistency ahead of the Manchester derby.