Erling Haaland was seen signalling for the bench in Norway's 2-1 defeat to Portugal in the Nations League on Sunday.
Haaland had played 90 minutes in each of Norway's first three Nations League games, but looked to the bench around the hour mark against Portugal. It has been suggested that an agreement was in place for Haaland to only play an hour, with the Manchester City striker more fatigued than injured.
Nevertheless, it will have raised alarm bells amongst City supporters ahead of their clash with Liverpool on Sunday with Haaland seen limping.
But Norway manager Stale Solbakken has allayed fears somewhat, and speaking after his side's defeat, the Norway coach said: "Some of my players have only had six or seven days of holiday. And you do not live off your physical condition in a normal job. Then it is straight into the start of the season, followed by a mini-tournament, so it is an extreme strain...'
"We had hopes of 60 minutes after the conversation we had, and he managed 65 minutes... There are a whole bunch of people who are leaving now. They need a breather... they have been given a few days off from their club."
Still, City fans waited to hear it from the horse's mouth, and Enzo Maresca said in his pre-match press conference: "He's good, he went to Marbella, two or three days off, played golf, recovery. Ready for Anfield, he is good."
Given the magnitude of the game, Haaland is expected to start against Liverpool at the weekend, though he might not complete 90 minutes.
Haaland has enjoyed another fine start to the Premier League season, leading the scoring charts with five goals in his first five games, and Enzo Maresca will need all of his star players for what is sure to be a hotly contested tie at Anfield.
