Erling Haaland scored 10 minutes into Manchester City's Carabao Cup fourth-round match against Liverpool this evening - it's as if the World Cup never happened.
Due to the World Cup break, the 22-year-old has been inactive for the last five weeks. Because Haaland and Norway did not qualify for the competition, he was resting while his City teammates were in Qatar.
Haaland has scored 23 goals in 23 games for City, including three hat-tricks. On Thursday evening, he scored his 24th goal at the Etihad Stadium.Haaland was up for it from the start, attempting to chip Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher.
The striker's effort was wide, and he appeared to be frustrated with himself. He wouldn't have to wait long for another opportunity.
Cole Palmer played the ball to Kevin De Bruyne on the left side, who had a disappointing World Cup with Belgium.
De Bruyne needed only one touch to find Haaland in between Reds defenders Joe Gomez and Andy Robertson.
We all know what happened after he fired a cross with his left foot. Haaland darted in front of Gomez, allowing him to push past Kelleher.Fans online reacted to the goal by joking that Haaland must have been extremely bored sitting at home.
"De Bruyne and Haaland were linking up within 10 minutes," one person said, "and he really missed him."
"I'm out of adjectives to describe this lad," said another.
"Picked up right where he left off," said a third.
Someone else added: "He hasn't wasted any time here. There is no one better in the world right now."Fabio Carvalho equalized for Liverpool against the run of play in the 20th minute.
Pep Guardiola, City's manager, admitted before the game that Haaland wasn't fully recovered.
"He is still a little bit away because when we were in Abu Dhabi, he still had that pain that he had before the World Cup break," the Spaniard admitted. "But, yeah, he's getting better, in better shape, and he's fine."
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