Man City 4-0 Liverpool: Erling Haaland lays down gauntlet with hat-trick

Haaland scored 46 goals in 50 matches with his club and national team this season.

Not only did he lead Norway’s successful bid to reach the World Cup, but he will also lead City’s Premier League and FA Cup assault in the final two months of the season.

The 25-year-old converted from the penalty spot to put City on track against Liverpool, then struck his second from Antoine Semenyo’s cross and headed into the open net to complete the hat-trick.

Haaland, who has caused trouble for Liverpool’s defence, became the third Premier League player to score in four or more consecutive home games against the Reds, after Chris Sutton and former City striker Sergio Aguero.

Haaland’s hat-trick was a welcome return to form for a player who had scored just once in his last seven matches in all competitions, including Norway.

“I worked with a lot of good strikers who scored a lot of goals, won a lot of finals and cups,” said former Liverpool manager Lijnders. “Erling scored his 12th hat-trick for Man City today and the second goal was crazy.

“He measured his attack, he flew, the way he threw the ball into the corner. I like these old-style striker goals.

“I’m not saying he carries Norway, but we all know how important he is to them, he feels that responsibility.”

Norway will participate in the World Cup this summer for the first time in 28 years. Haaland can be fit to carry until the end of the season and beyond, which will please club and country.

“It’s clear that not everything will go well for a long season, but for him to come back like this again shows his character and mentality,” Lijnders said. he said.