Dynamic Doku giving City wings ahead of Red Bulls clash

Jeremy Doku continues to give Premier League full-backs nightmares after his summer switch to the Etihad.

Trent Alexander-Arnold was the latest defender tasked with facing the Belgian winger, as Manchester City and Liverpool played out a 1-1 draw on Saturday.

He largely did a commendable job — while also equalising at the other end — but even an England international on top form struggled to contain Doku throughout.

Ahead of City's Champions League clash with RB Leipzig, we take a closer look at their No11's impressive start to life in Manchester.

Jeremy or Jack?

In Pep Guardiola's patient and possession-based style of play, Doku is a clear outlier.

The 18-cap international is direct and aggressive, encouraged to run at opposition defenders and get fans off their seats.

He has done that to great effect so far in the Premier League, ranking first in City's squad for completed take-ons (43) and assists (five).

With end product to match his pace and energy on the left flank, Doku has quickly become one of the most threatening players in England's top flight.

Guardiola is spoilt for choice in that position, with Jack Grealish providing a different set of qualities.

City can play in a more controlled manner with the 28-year-old in their side — he has a passing accuracy of 87.88%, compared to Doku's 84.5% and averages 40.03 completed passes per 90 minutes to the latter's 31.95 per 90.

But Doku has been the more dynamic of the two players so far this season and is in favour ahead of a crucial period of the campaign.

Difference maker

At 21, Doku has the makings of a star player for City.

He has been the catalyst for a slight change in style and could become one of Guardiola's most important signings.

Earlier this month, the Citizens boss said: "He [Doku] reads every action for exactly what he has to do. His quality is close to the box.

"It's difficult to find a player today with the ability to play in small spaces and he is one of the fastest players over five metres.

"It's incredible how he changes the rhythm in five metres. After that when he's not able to dribble, he makes good decisions and I'm impressed by that.

"When he takes the ball and goes, everybody is excited, and me too. Something is going to happen, and it happens.

"To have this threat up front with Erling [Haaland] and Julian [Alvarez] playing really well and Phil [Foden], it's so important."

Freedom of the City

Doku has earned the admiration of his team-mates too.

After Saturday's match, Bernardo Silva said: "Hopefully he [Doku] can keep going, keep learning and improving and help us win titles.

"You cannot give him limitations otherwise he loses his magic. We have to let him be himself and do his thing, while knowing he has a responsibility to help us when he doesn't have the ball.

"But he's been doing really well. When I play with Jeremy, I try to help him and try to give him that freedom so he can do his thing."

If Doku continues to play with such freedom and confidence, City look well placed to begin another winning run — starting with tonight's game against Leipzig.