Manchester City ominous after cruising past Liverpool

Manchester City's Sergio Aguero (C) celebrates with team mates after scoring a goal against Liverpool during their English Premier League soccer match at the Etihad stadium in Manchester, northern England August 25, 2014. REUTERS/Andrew Yates

(Reuters) - 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 on Monday.

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 the Montenegro international to smash the ball home on 41 minutes.