A previous exchange between Trent Alexander-Arnold and Erling Haaland has resurfaced following an independent commission's findings against Manchester City
Erling Haaland of Manchester City warms up before the Premier League match against Sunderland
Manchester City striker Erling Haaland(Image: Photo by Matt McNulty/Getty Images)
Manchester City has been the talk of the football world over the last several days following confirmation an independent commission found it guilty of breaking Premier League financial rules over a nine-season period between 2009 and 2018.
The bombshell ruling, released by the Premier League earlier this week, stated the Manchester club used "sham" contracts to artificially inflate revenues by more than £900 million ($1.1 billion). The verdict is subject to appeal, which City has until Friday, October 2 to file.
Understandably, the news has prompted significant discourse in the media and especially among fans. Previous quotes and talking points are resurfacing, including a disagreement between former Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold and current City striker Erling Haaland.
Of course, Liverpool went toe-to-toe with Pep Guardiola's side on a regular basis from 2018 onwards. City won the league five times during that period, while the Reds have been crowned champions twice, with Alexander-Arnold playing an integral role in both triumphs.
In at least two of those years, Jurgen Klopp 's side was narrowly beaten to the title by City by just a single point. In a 2024 interview with FourFourTwo, Alexander-Arnold was asked about the disparity in spending power between the two clubs, to which the defender claimed Liverpool's trophies, although fewer, would mean more as a result.
"Looking back on this era, although [City] have won more titles than us and have probably been more successful, our trophies will mean more to us and our fan base because of the situations at both clubs financially," the now Real Madrid star told the magazine.
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"How both clubs have built their teams and the manner in which we've done it, probably means more to our fans. 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."
They were comments Haaland, in particular, did not take too kindly to when he was asked about them prior to a meeting between the two clubs. "If he wants to say that, OK," the Norway international told Sky Sports at the time.
Trent Alexander-Arnold of Liverpool celebrates with Premier League trophy after his final appearance for Liverpool as Liverpool are crowned the Champions of the Premier League
Trent Alexander-Arnold won two Premier League titles at Liverpool(Image: (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images/Getty Images For The Premier League))
"I've been here one year and I won the treble and it was quite a nice feeling, I don't 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 don't know why he does that, but I do not mind."
Of course, City won the treble in Haaland's first season at the club in 2022/23. It beat Arsenal to the Premier League title by five points, and of course, it was that year Liverpool finished outside of the top four in fifth.
City also ended its long wait for a Champions League trophy that year, narrowly beating Inter Milan 1-0 in the final in Istanbul. It was also an FA Cup winner after beating bitter rival Manchester United 2-1 in the final at Wembley.
Understandably, Haaland's comments can now be viewed in a different light given recent developments. Alexander-Arnold's argument over the significance of Liverpool's achievements has certainly resurfaced following the commission's findings.
There will still be something of a debate, depending on who you ask, but the verdict is likely to alter how many view City's achievements during the period covered by the charges. That could remain the case regardless of the eventual outcome of the appeal process.
Even though City's treble-winning year falls outside of the nine-season period included in the Premier League's case, questions will inevitably be raised over the longer-term impact of the financial breaches established by the commission and the everything built during that period.