Jamie Redknapp raves about 'ANIMAL' Erling Haaland after first half hat-trick against Wolves as he claims the striker was 'furious' with Pep Guardiola for taking him off after netting four goals

Jamie Redknapp has heaped praise on Erling Haaland after his four-goal performance against Wolves, and admitted he was impressed with the striker's mentality.

The Norway international netted a first half hat-trick before scoring in the second period to finish the game with four goals.

Pep Guardiola made the decision to replace Haaland in the second half, leaving him visibly frustrated by the decision.

Speaking to Sky Sports after the match, Redknapp heaped praise on the Premier League's leading goal-scorer.

He said: 'We all want so much from a forward, from a player. Sometimes we talk about the little finesse and touches he maybe doesn't do as well. But what he is is an animal in front of goal.'

Despite scoring four goals and perhaps understanding why he was taken off to be rested and saved for the next game, Haaland looked fuming on the bench.

'The mentality he has. He scored four goals and you could see he was furious that he'd come off, he was fuming!' Redknapp continued.

'He wanted to score more goals. A lot of players that I'd play with that were goal scorers would have taken four goals, a standing ovation, take it easy for the game at Fulham next week.

'This guy is built differently. He's a phenomenon. To have him in our league, I just love watching him.

'All the goals that he scores, he wants more. He knew there was going to be another chance. The one that (Julian) Alvarez scored would have been perfect for him and he knew that.

'He wants to destroy teams. The guy is just built completely different.' 

However, not everyone has been as impressed with Haaland this season as Redknapp - with fellow Sky Sports pundit Roy Keane critical of his overall play. 

'The levels of his general play are so poor. And not just today but in general,' Keane said on Sky Sports previously. 

'In terms of front of goal he's best in the world, but his general play is so poor. He's almost like a League Two player. That is the way I look at him. His general play has to improve.'

Haaland proved Keane wrong against Wolves, with Redknapp taking a slight dig at his fellow pundit.

'It's very easy to say what he can't do, but enjoy what he can!' Redknapp said. 'He has given City a difference. 

'There were times when they won the league without a striker and we spoke about the final piece in the jigsaw and he's certainly that.

'They won the treble last year. When people criticise him I find it hard to understand sometimes.'