'Exceptional' Julian Alvarez maintains Man City goalscoring run even Erling Haaland can't match

Erling Haaland is not the only scoring sensation in Manchester City's ranks this season - with Julian Alvarez now setting milestones of his own.

The striker stepped into the side in the injured Haaland's absence against Liverpool and responded with a goal and two assists to fire City to a 4-1 win which keeps their title hopes alive. With his weekend goal, the Argentina international maintained a goalscoring record even Haaland can't lay claim to.

Alvarez's goal, which cancelled out Mo Salah's opener, maintained his perfect record of scoring in every Etihad match he's started this season. It's 11 from nine for the 23-year-old and his latest strike prompted a glowing reference from his manager.

READ MORE: Alvarez proves point to Guardiola about Haaland injury vs Liverpool

"He was so clever with the ball, he’s an exceptional player," said Guardiola. "The club made an exceptional signing with him – he’s a world champion alongside Lionel Messi because he has something.”

Alvarez has 13 goals in all competitions since his arrival at City and while Haaland has plundered an incredible 42, including 31 on home turf, he's failed to find the net on five starting occasions at the Etihad - against Arsenal (in the FA Cup), Aston Villa, Brentford, Bournemouth and Newcastle United.

The pair have played together on occasion this season while Alvarez has proved more than capable of leading the line when required. He's already repaying swathes of the £14million City spent to sign him in the summer and looks every inch a Premier League player.

Should Haaland, absent at the weekend with a groin problem, face any further time on the sidelines, City and Guardiola know they have a replacement more than capable of delivering the goods and