Haaland got one thing wrong in Man City win v Luton - that definitely was a warning for Arsenal & Liverpool

Erling Haaland wasn’t totally convincing when he said this wasn’t a warning for Manchester City’s rivals.

The Norwegian netted five in a game for the second time in his City career on Tuesday night, grabbed an eighth hat-trick for the club and the first away from home, in the 6-2 win over Luton Town. If that wasn’t ominous enough, Kevin De Bruyne provided four assists for Haaland, a snippet of the sort of combination play that even Pep Guardiola acknowledges makes his team better.

The FA Cup win at Kenilworth was City’s 16th in the last 18, but the 6-2 victory was a reminder of just how devastating the European champions can be offensively. If they can replicate that enough times over the next three months, this campaign could still be as successful as the last.

“It’s coming. We’re coming. It’s exciting times,” said Haaland in his post-match interview with ITV Sport, before adding those comments weren't a warning for Liverpool, Arsenal and the rest.

“No, but we are ready to attack,” he continued, in it was probably the least resounding moment of yet another record-breaking night for the striker, who moved onto 79 goals from 83 appearances in all competitions for City.

But even more alarming for the Blues' rivals is that link-up with De Bruyne. That was just the fifth time the pair have started alongside each other since the opening weekend of the campaign - and Guardiola will hope their respective injury breaks means both players should feel a sense of freshness going into the decisive phase of the season.

“Not bad. It’s quite good,” was Haaland’s tongue-in-cheek reply when asked about his on-field relationship with City’s creator-in-chief. “He’s doing what he’s best at and it’s a pleasure playing with him.

“We know what we both want from each other. We look at each other often throughout the game and it clicks well. He is a smart guy and I like playing with smart guys.

“My fitness is getting better and I’m feeling back to my best. Finally I’m feeling good and it’s an amazing feeling,” he added.

That last answer could prove to be the biggest factor in the final stages of the season. Entering a period when teams typically feel the strain after six months of relentless football, City’s star men are looking rejuvenated. So did the team on Tuesday night.

Whether Haaland’s post-match interview was meant as a warning or not, City’s rivals will be quaking in their boots.