Elliot Anderson says Erling Haaland ‘was really good’ after online ‘diver’ joke

Elliot Anderson has responded with good humour after Erling Haaland mocked him as a “diver” in an Instagram exchange linked to their controversial World Cup meeting.

Haaland posted a photograph on Instagram with the caption: “Back to sunny Manchester!” One supporter replied: “Say hi to Anderson,” prompting the Norway striker to answer: “The diver?”

The comment referred to an incident from the most recent World Cup, held in the United States, Canada and Mexico, when Norway were eliminated by England in a 2-1 quarter-final defeat.

According to The Sun, there was no lingering tension between the two Manchester City players. Both attended pre-season training on the same day, and Anderson said Haaland had helped him settle into his new surroundings.

Asked whether he had seen the post, Anderson, 23, said: “Yes, it went viral. He was calling me a diver.”

He added: “It was funny. He was really good today and helped me settle in, he was completely honest with me, he’s a really good guy.”

Manchester City paid £116m to sign the England international from his previous club, bringing him to the Etihad Stadium as part of their efforts to regain the Premier League title.

The social-media exchange was rooted in a contentious moment during the World Cup quarter-final. With the score level at 1-1, Torbjørn Heggem reacted quickest to a loose ball following a corner and appeared to put Norway ahead.

That goal was later ruled out following a VAR review, with officials deciding that Haaland had pushed Anderson to the ground in the build-up.

The decision divided supporters. Many felt Anderson had gone down too easily, while others believed the midfielder had placed his hands on Haaland first. Haaland also criticised the ruling at the time, describing it as “weak”.

The disputed incident appears to have remained in Haaland’s memory, even after Anderson’s move to Manchester City brought the pair together as team-mates.

Anderson’s response suggests the episode has not created a problem within the City squad. Rather than taking offence at Haaland’s comment, he treated it as a continuation of the debate surrounding the World Cup moment and praised the Norwegian for the way he had welcomed him during pre-season.

The England international’s arrival, costing City £116m, is intended to strengthen the club’s squad as they attempt to challenge for another Premier League title. For now, the first exchange between the new team-mates has centred on an old VAR controversy, with both players appearing to regard the matter as little more than a joke.