Erling Haaland, Ruben Dias hit back at Trent Alexander-Arnold over trophies quip

The top-two teams go head to head in a Premier League title showdown at Anfield on Sunday, and earlier this week, Alexander-Arnold labelled Pep Guardiola's side as «a machine that's built to win».

Speaking to FourFourTwo magazine about the rivalry that has emerged between the two clubs in recent years, the Englishman said: «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.»

Haaland raised his eyebrows when he was informed of those provocative comments during an interview with Sky Sports and he has hit back at Alexander-Arnold by remining the defender of Man City's historic treble triumph last season – one of only two ever achieved by an English club along with Manchester United in 1999.

«If he wants to say that, then OK,» said the Norwegian. «I've been here one year and won the treble and it was quite a nice feeling, I do not think he knows exactly this feeling. So yeah, that is what I felt last season and it was quite nice.

»They can talk as much as they want, or he can talk as much as he wants, I do not know why he does that, but I do not mind."

Meanwhile, Man City centre-back Dias believes the way to be «a big club» is «not trying to