Erling Haaland explains how Liverpool FC inspired his unstoppable Man City form

Erling Haaland scored his 17th Manchester City goal in just 11 games since his debut back in August.

In that game - a Community Shield defeat to Liverpool - Haaland was kept quiet by a fitter Liverpool side, and it is the only game to date where he has failed to score or assist for City. Since then, he's scored 17 times, including three hat-tricks, as well as recording three assists.

His latest treble, in a derby demolition of Manchester United, saw him continue to emphatically silence critics who suggested he would struggle in the Premier League after his blank against Liverpool.

ALSO READ:Haaland gives brilliant two-word verdict on Man City hat-trick vs Man Utd

And Haaland says that game proved to be a reality check on his first domestic appearance for the Blues, prompting him to work harder in his subsequent outings at City.

He told Match of the Day: "Confidence is good, it's always been good. After we played against Liverpool in the Community Shield it was still good after. I think it was good that match happened, that something happened and [I thought] I have to be a bit more ready."

Reflecting on his derby hat-trick, Haaland admitted that City shouldn't have allowed United their three second-half goals, despite the Blues always being in control from their 4-0 half-time lead.

He explained: "It could've been more and in the second half we should've been tighter, worked a bit harder, because it was a bit sloppy at times. We lost the second half and this is not good so we still have to work.

"It's been good, I felt it a little bit before the game that something special is going to happen and we saw today that some special things happened. It was nice. On Friday I felt it in the whole training ground. It's these games