Pep has explained Erling Haaland and Julian Alvarez’s growing collaboration has a purpose

Both of our strikers have started every game this season and have helped us win the European Super Cup and climb to the top of the Premier League by scoring a combined eight goals and providing two assists.

The two will go to West Ham United on Saturday at 15:00 (UK) as part of our effort to maintain our perfect record thus far in the season.

In addition, Guardiola claims that the two have worked effectively together as an offensive threat in the absence of Kevin De Bruyne’s injury and the summer exit of Ilkay Gundogan.

“It starts because Kevin is injured and especially with Gundo going to Barca we need players closer to Erling who have the sense of goal, not just Erling,” Guardiola said.

“When our attacking midfielders move away from Erling, we struggled to score goals and create chances.

“Erling has to adapt because Julian moves behind the striker perfectly. Another player who has to improve the simple things and lose less balls. It is difficult to do that in the position he plays because the gaps are minimal.

“He has an incredible quality and sense to move, his work ethic without the ball, his sense of goal and the assists. His impact has been huge. We are very, very, very pleased.”