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 hit back at Trent Alexander-Arnold’s inflammatory remarks about Manchester City’s finances three days out from Liverpool’s title showdown with the Premier League champions.

Alexander-Arnold claimed this week that success under Jurgen Klopp ‘means more’, with a heavy inference that City have bought their way to 14 major trophies with Pep Guardiola as manager.

The foes face each other at Anfield on Sunday with just a point between them in the title race and for what could be a final meeting between Klopp and Guardiola before the German departs in the summer.

Alexander-Arnold’s comments have lit the blue touch paper to a tetchy rivalry that needs no stoking.

Haaland sarcastically responded, saying: ‘If he wants to say that, OK. I’ve been here one year and I’ve won the Treble and it was quite a nice feeling. I don’t think he knows exactly this feeling.

Alexander Arnold had suggested Liverpool’s trophies win more to their fans than Man City’s

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

‘They can talk as much as they want. He can talk as much as he wants. I don’t know why he does that but I don’t mind.’

City remain in all three major competitions after progressing into 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 which way this year’s title is heading as City attempt to make history by clinching four on the trot and Liverpool try to give Klopp a perfect send-off.

In an interview with FourFourTwo, Alexander-Arnold – who has six career honours – suggested their individual pieces of silverware have more value.

‘Looking back on this era, although they’ve (City) 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,’ the defender said.

‘How both clubs have built their teams and the manner in which we’ve done it, probably means more to our fans. t’s tough. We’re up against a machine that’s 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 remarks made by Klopp throughout his nine years in charge.

Liverpool’s marketing mantra of ‘this means more’ has been running for years and is splashed across the Anfield tunnel.

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

Alexander-Arnold is ruled out of contention in Sunday’s clash with Man City through injury

Haaland will be met by it on Sunday as City look to record just a third victory there in 21 years.

‘It’s a really special game,’ the striker added. ‘Really important. That’s what is nice about the Premier League, there are so many who are so good. So many can win the Premier League.

‘The last years it’s been Manchester City and we’re going to try to do it again. It’s not going to be easy but we are good.’