Manchester City flexed their muscle on Liverpool, defeating them by three goals to one Monday night courtesy of a double by Stevan Jovetic and another by Sergio Kun Aguero.
Liverpool were handed a consolation by substitute Ricky Lambert when his saved headed bounced off Zabaleta into the net.
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.
He grabbed his second 10 minutes after the restart, putting away Samir Nasri's low cross, while Aguero scored 23 seconds after coming on as a substitute as Manuel Pellegrini's side put down an early-season statement of intent.
After going agonisingly close to winning their first league title in 24 years last season, Liverpool are desperate to mount another creditable challenge, but despite nine new arrivals they are still looking to adjust to life without Luis Suarez.
The Merseysiders failed to seriously trouble Joe Hart despite having plenty of ball and earned a consolation through a Pablo Zabaleta own goal when the result was already sealed.
Both teams looked dangerous on the break, with 19-year-old Raheem Sterling particularly lively on Liverpool's right and giving Gael Clichy plenty of defensive work.
Debutant, Alberto Moreno, a summer signing from Sevilla, offered some decent balls from out wide but was culpable for City taking the lead.
Dejan Lovren, under pressure from David Silva, was unable to get any power on a clearing header, but Moreno was caught on his heels, allowing Jovetic to beat him to the ball and smash it past Simon Mignolet.
The Montenegro international struggled with injury in his first season in England, but after impressing in pre-season has been given the chance to partner Edin Dzeko in attack with Aguero still working his way back to fitness.
Daniel Sturridge, who scored the winner against Southampton last week, had a goal correctly ruled out for offside shortly after the restart, while Bosnian Dzeko was unable to control the ball after being played in by Silva.
The home fans did not have to wait much longer for a second, a scuffed effort from Jovetic finding the back of the net after a fine lead-up work between himself and Nasri, the Frenchman finding his teammate with a low ball through the box.
Aguero made it three, having been on the pitch for 23 seconds, getting in behind the Liverpool defence and finishing off Jesus Navas' searching pass.
The Argentina striker has now scored in both City matches, despite playing less than 45 minutes in total.
Liverpool pulled once back when Zabaleta, under pressure from Rickie Lambert, put the ball in his own goal, but hopes of a comeback were curtailed when Glen Johnson hobbled off, leaving the Reds to finish with 10 men and with a early dent to their title hopes.
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