Manchester City striker Julian Alvarez impressed former City pair Steve Howey and Shaun Goater yesterday.

Alvarez scored in City's Community Shield defeat to Liverpool.

“It's the first time I have properly seen Julian Alvarez and I think he could be a star in the making," declared former City and England central defender Howey to the club's website.

“The message from the manager at half time would have been to change the game in our favour. And Alvarez and Phil Foden helped do that when they came on.

“You know what you are going to get from Foden and I'm not surprised as he's a wonderful player.

“But Alvarez has the same mannerisms for me a bit like Sergio Aguero and if he is halfway as good as him then you have a top, top striker on your hands."

Howey's admiration for Alvarez was echoed by his former City colleague Goater with the former strike legend also instantly taken with the Argentine's English debut.

“I'm pleased for him as a striker to have scored having come on from the bench. The fact he has come on and scored will be huge for his confidence," declared the Goat.

“Strikers read these situations. He gets his foot on the ball at the same time as the keeper and earns that bit of luck.

“He will be pleased to have scored when not starting. Now he will look forward to the next game to try and keep making an impact."