Haaland fit for Anfield clash as Maresca confirms Manchester City star ready to face Liverpool

Enzo Maresca has confirmed that Manchester City striker Erling Haaland is fit to face Liverpool this weekend.

Manchester City head to Liverpool in a mouth-watering Premier League showdown, as the fierce rivals face off for the first time since City were found guilty of breaching the division's financial rules.

The independent commission's guilty verdict and subsequent has fanned the flames of the clash, but City will head into the contest boosted by Haaland's presence.

The Norwegian had been a doubt with a fatigue issue, but Maresca has confirmed he's fit to feature. Haaland is the Premier League's leading scorer with five goals in five games this season.

‘Ready for Anfield’: Maresca delivers major Erling Haaland fitness update before Liverpool battle

"He's good, he went to Marbella, two or three days off, played golf, recovery. Ready for Anfield, he is good," the Italian said.

Maresca was asked whether vice-captain Haaland and City skipper Ruben Dias had helped keep the dressing room together.

City have appealed against their guilty verdict for breaches which include artificially inflating revenue figures, with Maresca outlining his confidence of success in that appeal.

Should the verdict be upheld, City are set to face unprecedented sanctions from the Premier League, with talks over points deductions, fines, and even expulsion. Maresca was asked on Friday how his side's leaders are supporting the group.

"They need to help their teammates and they are doing that. But again I understand that you want to hear or listen to different words from me, but the real words is that the players, the noise is there but they are 20, 25 years old, they enjoy their training, they go home happy, they are top of the league, so they are relaxed. They are just thinking about how to beat Liverpool and hopefully we are going to try."