Julian Alvarez's Aguero impression proves Pep Guardiola's point about Man City strikers

There were few complaints when Julian Alvarez was named in the Manchester City starting line up against Nottingham Forest, and it was hardly a surprise.

Pep Guardiola had talked him up in recent press conferences, saying he could have had a hat-trick in the friendly against Barcelona and praised his 'unsung' role in City's comeback vs Crystal Palace off the bench. 'You will see,' said the boss when praising Alvarez, and predicting big things from him in the coming weeks when the fixtures start coming every three days.

However, while Guardiola rewarded Alvarez with a start, it came alongside Erling Haaland, meaning he was not used in his natural position and - quite literally - played in his shadow for the first half.

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Lining up in an attacking midfield position behind Haaland, Alvarez was given a supportive role similar to the one Kevin De Bruyne has been playing recently, just with more runs off the ball behind the defence rather than with the ball in front of the opposition.

He was busy early on, prodding a corner towards Dean Henderson and forcing a save, but faded slightly as City knocked the ball from side to side - sometimes bypassing him - and Haaland stole the show with his second hat-trick in as many halves.

There was some good hold-up play and harrying of the defence, but it wasn't until the 43rd minute that Alvarez could show a glimpse of his striker abilities. He nicked the ball off a defender, kept it close, and sent a good effort off the outside of the post from 20 yards.

Alvarez may have hoped for Haaland to be replaced at half-time with bigger tests coming up, but he remained on the pitch, and wasn't taken off in the first round of