Manchester City striker Erling Halaand faces a race against time to be fit to face Liverpool on April 1 after he was forced to withdraw from the Norway squad.
The Premier League's top goalscorer was due to represent his country in matches against Spain and Georgia this week. But the Norwegian FA have confirmed that the prolific marksmen has now been sent home due to a groin injury.
Liverpool will visit City when the international break draws to a close, to play the first of three huge successive fixtures against Pep Guardiola's side, Chelsea and Arsenal, in a period that could make or break the Reds' hopes of qualifying for next season's Champions League.
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But the absence of Haaland would undoubtedly be a boost for Jurgen Klopp, as the Reds boss looks to mastermind a league double over the reigning Premier League champions.
Reports in Norway suggest that Haaland had complained of pain in his groin following City's 6-0 thrashing of Burnley in the FA Cup - a match in which the forward scored a hat-trick.
City are eight points adrift of league leaders Arsenal, as they attempt to hunt down Mikel Arteta's men and benefit from a game in hand. Liverpool, meanwhile, have got work to do just to make it into the top four. The Reds are currently sixth in the table, eight points behind fourth-placed Tottenham but with two games in hand.
Norway's national team doctor Ola Sand said that Haaland will now return to City for a medical follow-up, but the extent of his groin injury is not yet established.
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