Michael Owen doesn’t think one Manchester City player is at his best right now.
Manchester City’s own fine form continued on Wednesday night as the 3-1 win over FC Copenhagen saw them cruise to the Champions League quarter-finals.
It’s now 20 games unbeaten for Pep Guardiola’s side who ended the contest within eight minutes thanks to goals from Manuel Akanji and Julian Alvarez.
Mohamed Elyounoussi pulled one back for the Danes but his fellow Norwegian Erling Haaland wrapped up the win with a fine finish before halftime.
It was a perfect night for Guardiola who was able to take Rodri off at the break and rest Kevin De Bruyne, Phil Foden, Bernardo Silva and Kyle Walker completely.
City take on Liverpool on Sunday in a massive match in the Premier League title race and will need everyone at their best at Anfield.
However, Michael Owen says Haaland isn’t at his best right now.
Michael Owen on Erling Haaland’s form
Speaking to TNT Sport, Owen said: “Pep Guardiola just mentioned it.
“He said he played more or less the full game because he needs to get some rhythm.
“He’s not actually as sharp as he has been in previous years, the numbers bear that out as well.
“A lot of people will remember the chance he missed against Manchester United the other day, which was startling really.
“He’s an incredible finisher, but bear in mind that when you’re talking about a great player, they always should outperform xG. That’s the whole reason for them being a great player.
“To be under xG, and it to be a Manchester City striker, that’s not alarming at all, but it should be a lot better, it’s been better in previous seasons.
“But this year he’s definitely underperforming in front of goal.”
“If you look at the top scorers this season, Kane is nearly six goals ahead of average, Mbappe is ahead of average, they are all ahead of average really.
“Haaland gets an awful lot of chances and scores an awful lot of goals, but his efficiency isn’t quite there this season, and it’s important to say that because in previous seasons he has been.
“He’s had an injury this season, he’s been out for a while, maybe a bit of rustiness, and that might have been what Guardiola was alluding to.”
Erling Haaland is still feeling his way back
I wish not being quite at my best would leave me as the Premier League’s top scorer but alas.
Haaland has had some shocking misses lately, especially against Manchester United and Chelsea, but as the old cliche goes, at least he’s still getting the chances.
The £53m man’s confidence certainly hasn’t suffered and he is still grabbing goals, too, with eight in his last five.
Haaland is still shaking off the ring rust after 12 games out with a foot injury but hopefully, he will be back to his best on Sunday.
City travel to Anfield and need to win to take the ascendency in the Premier League title race.
