Doku is a changing symbol of this new city.
The 23-year-old has gone from an uncertain, talented winger, but sometimes not angry, to good luck in their best moments this season.
He gave Conor Bradley, Liverpool’s great win over Real Madrid in the Champions league, a terrific season. Bradley was run embraced by the enthusiasm and physical presence of Doku – although there is certainly no one who can cope with the Belgian on this form.
Doku is simply unstoppable, a player now in full bloom after finally getting used to the high demands of Guardiola after Rennes in August 2023.
Rayan Cherki adds subtlety to the Midfield, while Phil Foden is back to his best and Bernardo Silva still has all the old tricks to keep City motivated.
It was a big win in every way, giving Arsenal and their manager Mikel Arteta – a heavy helping of food – a heavy helping of food for the thinking of the international break.
For Liverpool, it was a return to the world with a rounding thud after their recent opening.
Now they languish in eighth place, eight points behind Arsenal and four points behind the city, but with momentum stalled. Liverpool’s tally of five defeats this season now replaces the four they suffered when they won the title.
And there are disturbing signs that Liverpool have yet to match the summer’s influx of around £450m worth of new talent.
Hugo Ekitike, one of the successes, is covered here while the £125m fellow striker Alexander Isak is an unused one with an injury.
It was another day of suffering and frustration for the £116m playmaker Florian Wirtz, whose struggles have been exacerbated by the taunts at the Etihad Stadium to join the Liquester Stadium to join the Liquester Stichium to join the LiSched Stand at the Etihad Stifium to join Liftpool from Bayer Leverkusen.
Wirtz, at this stage, clearly struggles physically in the Premier League. The talent was clearly there, but it always caught up with him.
This is something he needs to experience and work against. Inevitable barracking came Wirtz’s way with chants of “What a waste of money” from the jubilant home fans when he was replaced by Federico Chiesa seven minutes into the match.
Meanwhile, Guardiola is holding on to victory but is looking forward to the games that follow the international break.
“Now rest and come back with energy,” he said, before reflecting on the path that brought him to this stage of an extraordinary coach’s life.
“I think my time at Barcelona B was the foundation for many things. To know that I can do it and learn a lot.
“I will never forget the boys in the first season. For me, it is very special to do 1,000 games in front of my family and especially against Liverpool. I have a great respect for the club.”
This is the day to celebrate Guardiola. And the city of Manchester made it a moment to remember.