'I won the treble' - Erling Haaland hits back at Trent Alexander-Arnold

Manchester City striker Erling Haaland has dismissed recent claims from Trent Alexander-Arnold stoking the new-found rivalry that trophies mean more to Liverpool and their fans

Alexander-Arnold pointed to the money spent at City over the last 15 years compared to Liverpool ahead of the clubs facing each other in a top of the table Premier League clash.

"If he wants to say that…okay," Haaland told Sky Sports when the comments were read to him.

The Norwegian, who scored his 29th goal of the season as City beat Copenhagen on Wednesday night to book their place in the Champions League quarter-finals, didn't seem remotely bothered by the apparent fighting talk from the Merseyside end of the M62.

"I've been here one year and I won the treble. It was quite a nice feeling. I don't think he knows exactly this feeling. They, or he, can talk as much as they want. I don't know why he does that but I don't mind," Haaland added.

Alexander-Arnold had told FourFourTwo: "It's tough. We're up against a machine that's built to win - that's the simplest way to describe City and their organisation.

"Looking back on this era, although they've won more titles than us and have probably been more successful, our trophies will mean more to us and our faNBAse because of the situations at both clubs, financially. How both clubs have built their teams and the manner in which we've done it, probably means more to our fans."

Liverpool currently lead the Premier League table, but only one point separates them from City. The Reds have a superior goal difference, so only a City win would see them go ahead. A draw could actually see neither side finish the weekend top of the pile, with Arsenal only a point further back. The Gunners would jump into first if they beat Brentford and there is no winner at Anfield.

READ THE LATEST PREMIER LEAGUE NEWS, RUMOURS & GOSSIP