City extended their unbeaten start to the new season with an impressive 5-0 victory over Liverpool on Saturday - their biggest win over the Merseysiders since 1937.

Club journalist Rob Pollard has taken a closer look at what was an entertaining afternoon at the Etihad Stadium.    

Clinical City 

This was City at their devastating best.

Kevin De Bruyne’s throughball for Sergio Aguero’s opener was beautifully weighted, and the Belgian was the provider again for City’s second, whipping in an inch-perfect cross for Gabriel Jesus to head home.

The third saw Aguero unselfishly pass to Jesus for a tap-in when he could perhaps have scored himself.

And then substitute Leroy Sane took over, producing a fine first-time finish from Benjamin Mendy’s cross for the fourth, before curing in a stunner from 25 yards for add a fifth.

City’s first three matches of the season saw them dominate possession without being clinical enough. Against Liverpool, they had no such problem, producing a ruthless display that sees them move on to 10 points from four games and extended their 12-match unbeaten run stretching back to last season.

Record-breaking Aguero

Aguero’s goal means he is now the Premier League’s highest scoring non-European player with 124 goals, overtaking former Aston Villa striker Dwight Yorke. It puts him 15th in the list of Premier League all-time leading scorers, taking him just one behind former Arsenal and City star Nicolas Anelka and two short of Robbie Keane’s tally.

It also continued his excellent record against Liverpool. He’s now scored in all six home games he’s played against the Merseysiders since his arrival in England in 2011.

But perhaps most importantly, he is now just six goals short of becoming City’s all-time leading goalscorer. Eric Brook’s record of 177 goals has seen him top the list for 77 years but Aguero is now in touching distance of surpassing him.

Is there a better out-and-out striker in Europe?

Jesus impact

It’s unlikely to be too long before Jesus is setting similar records. His start to life in English football has been remarkable and suggests City have one of the best young forwards in world football.

Since his arrival at City in January, his statistics make impressive reading. He’s started 12 Premier League games, scoring 10 goals from just 19 shots on target. He’s also weighed in with four assists, meaning he’s been directly involved in a goal every 66 minutes he’s spent on the pitch.

The frightening thing for Premier League defenders is he is just 20 years of age and has plenty of scope for improvement. 

Flying full-backs

Perhaps the biggest change to the City team this season can be seen at full-back.

New signings Kyle Walker and Benjamin Mendy offer drive and energy down the flanks and it’s given City a new dimension going forward.

Mendy, in particular, impressed against Liverpool, delivering numerous dangerous balls into the box, including one to set up Sane for City’s fourth.

Ederson injury

The only negative of the afternoon was the injury to Ederson, who looked superb before being stretchered off after a collision with Sadio Mane.

He was quick off his line a number of times to thwart Liverpool attacks and made one brilliant save low down to his right from Mo Salah.

He was assessed by medics after the game who concluded he hadn’t suffered concussion or broken any bones and he tweeted afterwards: “Hi, everyone - I am well. What a fright! It was an important win for us. We are strong. Thanks for all your messages of support.”

Hopefully he can return quickly and build on his impressive start to life at City.