Is this normal? Haaland was joking with Szoboszlai while Man City trailed Liverpool — hereʼs why he was smiling

Matches against Liverpool are not your average games—they’re modern-day classics. Over recent years, Manchester City and Liverpool have turned the Premier League into a two-horse race, with every clash feeling like a final.

So when Erling Haaland, City’s talisman, was caught joking with Dominik Szoboszlai at a corner while City were trailing 1-0, it naturally raised eyebrows among the City faithful.

Here’s why this moment might be more than just a smile:

Mind Games or Misdirection?

Haaland isn’t your conventional striker; he’s as much a psychological player as a physical one. Sharing a smile or a joke with Szoboszlai might have been his way of throwing the Hungarian off balance.

In football, even the smallest lapse in concentration can be decisive. It’s possible Haaland was testing Szoboszlai’s focus during a set piece.

A Bundesliga Reunion

Let’s not forget, Haaland and Szoboszlai were rivals in Germany before they joined the Premier League. Haaland was the goal machine at Borussia Dortmund, while Szoboszlai made his mark at RB Leipzig.

Players often share a mutual respect from their earlier battles, and this could have been a lighthearted acknowledgment of their past.

Haaland’s Calmness Under Pressure

Cityzens know Haaland isn’t one to crumble under pressure. If anything, his relaxed nature is part of what makes him so lethal.

A smile in a heated moment might look odd, but it’s also a testament to his confidence. For Haaland, the scoreline isn’t an excuse to panic but a challenge to solve.

How Should Cityzens Feel About This?

Let’s not overanalyze it, Blues. While the timing of the smile may frustrate some fans, it’s important to remember that moments like this don’t define a game.

Haaland has proven himself time and again with goals, assists, and game-changing performances.

This match didn’t go City’s way, but focusing on a smile in isolation misses the bigger picture. It’s Haaland’s on-field contributions that matter most—and more often than not, he delivers. Keep the faith, Cityzens.