Manchester City striker Stevan Jovetic controls the ball ahead of Martin Skrtel, of Liverpool, yesterday.

A Stevan Jovetic double and a third to Sergio Aguero helped Manchester City send out an ominous warning to those with designs on their Premier League crown, routing Liverpool 3-1 in the first heavyweight clash of the new season last night.

The Montenegro international endured a miserable maiden campaign dogged by illness and injury but is now reaping the benefits of a full pre-season with City's first two goals either side of half-time.

In 153 minutes this season he has scored as many times in the league as he did in his first nine matches 12 months ago.

With new signing Mario Balotelli watching from the stands, last season’s runners-up Liverpool looked lively in miserable conditions at Etihad Stadium, but an error from debutant Alberto Moreno allowed Jovetic to smash the ball home on 41 minutes.

The Montenegro striker proved his first was no fluke with a second in the 55th minute, converting Samir Nasri’s cut-back from David Silva’s nifty flick and should have had a hat-trick but bundled a shot wide from possibly his best position of the night.

Another former City striker Daniel Sturridge, who had what he thought was the equaliser ruled out for offside, forced Hart into a reaction save with an angled shot but there was little else from the visitors, who gave second-half debuts to winger Lazar Markovic and Emre Can.

But Aguero’s strike, racing onto fellow substitute Jesus Navas’ through-ball, and exploiting the space Mignolet left at his near post showed rather pointedly that City have well and truly moved on from Balotelli.

Liverpool's final substitute of the night Rickie Lambert provided a small crumb of comfort by following in his own header which Hart had brilliantly saved only for the final bounce to come off Zabaleta before it crossed the line.

After going agonisingly close to winning their first league title in 24 years last season, Liverpool are desperate to mount another creditable challenge, but despite nine new arrivals they are still looking to adjust to life without Luis Suarez.

Standings