Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola said that his team can challenge table-toppers Arsenal for the Premier League title after a 3-0 win against defending champions Liverpool at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.

The Cityzens are now four points away from the Gunners. Meanwhile, Erling Haaland missed from a spot kick in the first half but quickly redeemed himself by finding the back of the net with a header. Nico Gonzalez then scored his maiden Premier League goal for the Sky Blues as he scored at the stroke of half-time after his shot found deflection from Virgil van Dijk’s foot.

Jeremy Doku, who troubled Liverpool’s defenders throughout the game with his skills and speed, scored the third goal for the home team to put the match to bed.

“I think Liverpool and us said ‘oh wow Arsenal dropped points finally and conceded two goals’,” said Guardiola.

“But at the end we have to do it and I said to the players ‘don’t do it because yesterday Arsenal didn’t win. Do it because we believe in ourselves that we can play against the champions of England and show them we are ready to be there with them this season’.

“Today we proved it. We did it.”

The Spaniard showered praise on Jeremy Doku for his impressive game and for getting past Liverpool’s right-back Conor Bradley.

“He [Doku] is demanding himself to be better, he listens, and he has special attributes with dribbles,” said Guardiola.

“Today, Conor [Bradley] — the right-back of Liverpool — I’m really, really impressed

“Pep Lijnders told me a thousand incredibly good things about that guy, he can do everything. I know the game against [Real] Madrid how good [he was] against Vinícius.

“And he [Doku] handled it. He was aggressive, quick without the ball, and we tried to help him. He played an outstanding game.”

Manchester City will next take on Newcastle United on 22nd November.