Smirking Erling Haaland delivers a put-down to Trent Alexander-Arnold after Liverpool vice-captain claimed his club’s trophy wins ‘mean more’

Erling Haaland has responded to Trent Alexander-Arnold’s incendiary comments about Manchester City’s finances three days before Liverpool’s title showdown with the Premier League champions.

Alexander-Arnold claimed this week that success under Jurgen Klopp “means more”, with the strong inference that City have bought their way to 14 major trophies with Pep Guardiola as manager.

The foes meet at Anfield on Sunday with just one point between them in the title race and in what could be one last meeting between Klopp and Guardiola before the German leaves in the summer.

Alexander-Arnold’s comments have ignited the blue paper of a testy rivalry that needs no stoking.

Haaland responded sarcastically, saying: “If you want to say that, that’s fine.” I was here for a year and won the Treble and it was a pretty nice feeling. I don’t think he knows exactly this feeling.

Alexander Arnold had suggested that Liverpool’s trophies earn more for their fans than Manchester City’s.

Haaland said that the Liverpool full-back does not know the feeling of winning the Treble

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‘They can talk all they want. You can talk all you want. I don’t know why he does that, but I don’t care.

City remain in the top three competitions after advancing to the Champions League quarter-finals on Wednesday night. Liverpool, who have already lifted the Carabao Cup this season, are still in the hunt for four trophies.

Sunday’s clash on Mereyside will go some way to determining where this year’s title goes, as City attempt to make history by making it four in a row and Liverpool attempt to give Klopp a perfect send-off.

In an interview with FourFourTwo, Alexander-Arnold, who has six career honors, suggested that his individual silver pieces have more value.

“Looking back on this era, although they (City) have won more titles than us and have probably been more successful, our trophies will mean more to us and our fan base due to the financial situation of both clubs,” said the defending.

“The way both clubs have built their teams and the way we have done that probably means more to our fans.” It’s hard. We are facing a machine built to win; “That’s the simplest way to describe City and their organisation.”

The theme of Alexander-Arnold’s argument is similar to intermittent comments made by Klopp throughout his nine years in charge.

Liverpool’s marketing mantra of “this means more” has been around for years and is spread throughout the Anfield tunnel.

Liverpool have already lifted the Carabao Cup this season and are in the race to add three more trophies

Alexander-Arnold is ruled out for Sunday’s clash against Manchester City due to injury

Haaland will face him on Sunday as City look to record just a third win there in 21 years.

“It’s a really special game,” added the striker. ‘Really important. That’s the great thing about the Premier League: there are so many who are so good. Many can win the Premier League.

“In recent years it has been Manchester City and we are going to try to do it again. It is not going to be easy but we are fine.”