Man City deliver ominous statement on Pep Guardiola’s landmark day as Liverpool suffer

Doku is a transformative symbol of this new City.

The 23-year-old has gone from being an unquestionably talented winger, but sometimes maddeningly inconsistent, to the brilliant catalyst behind so much of their best moments this season.

He gave Conor Bradley, outstanding in Liverpool’s win against Real Madrid in the Champions League, a horrible time. Bradley was run ragged by the pace and physical presence of Doku – although surely no-one could cope with the Belgian in this form.

Doku was simply unstoppable, a player now in full flower after finally becoming accustomed to Guardiola’s high demands following a £55.4m move from Rennes in August 2023.

Rayan Cherki adds subtlety in midfield, while Phil Foden is back to his best and Bernardo Silva still has all the old guile to keep City moving with his prompting.

It was a resounding win in every way, giving Arsenal and their manager Mikel Arteta – formerly Guardiola’s assistant – a hefty helping of food for thought over the international break.

For Liverpool, this was a return to earth with a resounding thud after their recent upturn.

They now languish in eighth place, eight points behind Arsenal and four adrift of City, but with momentum stalled. Liverpool’s tally of five defeats this season now eclipses the four they suffered when they won the title.

And there are still disturbing signs that Liverpool have yet to adapt to the summer influx of almost £450m worth of new talent.

Hugo Ekitike, one of the successes, was subdued here while £125m fellow striker Alexander Isak was an unused substitute after three weeks out with a groin injury.

It was another day of suffering and disappointment for £116m playmaker Florian Wirtz, whose struggles were made worse by the taunts of Manchester City’s fans, remembering how he turned down a move to Etihad Stadium in order to join Liverpool from Bayer Leverkusen.

Wirtz, at this stage, clearly struggles with the physicality of the Premier League. The talent is clearly there, but too often he is shrugged off easily in possession.

It is something he will have to get used to and counter-act. Inevitable barracking came Wirtz’s way with a chant of “What a waste of money” from jubilant home fans when he was replaced by Federico Chiesa seven minutes from time.

Guardiola, meanwhile, revelled in the victory but looked forward to the games that will follow the international break.

“Now rest and come back with the energy,” he said, before reflecting on the pathway that brought him to this stage of a remarkable coaching life.

“I think my period at Barcelona B is the foundation for many things. To realise that I was able to do it and learn a lot.

“I will never forget the guys in that first season. For me, it has been so special to make 1,000 games in front of my family and especially against Liverpool. I have a huge respect for that club.”

This was Guardiola’s day of celebration. And Manchester City made it an occasion to remember.