Alvarez to offer Guardiola 'different solutions' after debut goal against Man City

Manchester City's Julian Alvarez hopes to offer Pep Guardiola's side 'different solutions' this season, after scoring on his competitive debut with a goal.

The striker equalized in the second half for City in the Community Shield against Liverpool at the King Power Stadium, nullifying Trent Alexander-Arnold's opener, although Jurgen Klopp's side would go on to win 3-1 thanks to the penalty from Mohamed Salah and the late header from Darwin Nunez.

Alvarez's goal saw him attract attention in what was otherwise a disappointing attacking display from City.

The 22-year-old had just two touches inside the box in his 32-minute spell off the bench, but was a livewire down the right side after replacing Riyad Mahrez, and his goal saw him become the third Argentine to score in the Community Shield, after former City stars Sergio Aguero and Carlos Tevez.

Signed for £14m by River Plate in January then loaned out to the South American giants until the end of last season, Alvarez is likely to be a supporting cast member of City in the coming year due to competition from Mahrez. , Jack Grealish, Phil Foden and Erling Haaland, although the latter endured a domestic arc to forget at Leicester.

Changes to Premier League rules now mean managers can use five substitutes on the bench, which should help Alvarez earn more opportunities, and he's pledged to use his versatility to deliver alternative options to Guardiola.

"Obviously I'm very happy to have scored my first goal for City, but that remains on the sidelines because it was not the result we wanted to start the season by winning the trophy," he said. he told City TV.

"I always try to give my best in training, I have shown that I can play in different positions at my clubs and with the national team.

"I can offer alternatives to the team with this versatility, I can offer different solutions and I want to give the best of myself to help the team."

City's attention is now on the start of their Premier League title defence, which begins at West Ham on August 7, and Alvarez is confident it will be another successful campaign despite Saturday's loss to its rivals.

"It's tough, obviously we didn't want to start that way. We don't like to lose. We have to keep working," he added.

"It will be a good season to fight for all the trophies and we must continue to work in this way.

"Liverpool have shown in recent years how good they are. They are a great team with great players. So [are] City.

"It was a good test to start the season, we played well and played at a good level but we have to keep working to get the results."