Phil Foden on Liverpool's Rise and City's Slump
City's trip to Merseyside this Sunday is far from a stroll in the park. They arrive at Anfield on the back of six winless games, facing a Liverpool side that has opened up an eight-point lead at the top of the Premier League. Arne Slot's Liverpool have been in phenomenal form, but Foden believes a victory at Anfield is crucial.
"Playing in a Man City shirt there are expectations – I don’t think going to Anfield on Sunday is any different," Foden stated. "Just because the recent results haven’t been right, it doesn’t change much. We have to go there and win. It’s a must-win game – we have to think like this." He acknowledges Liverpool's strength: "Football is a funny old game, and anything can happen. It’s still early – Liverpool are looking strong and looking like they’re not going to lose many points. We’ll see what happens."
The Midweek Feyenoord Shock and City's Response
Foden admitted the 3-3 draw against Feyenoord, after leading 3-0, left the City players stunned. "Obviously there was a bit of disbelief,” he said. “We were controlling the full game, but it is what it is." However, the focus has shifted to moving forward: "The last few days have been about getting over the result and letting it go. We’ve been a bit unfortunate with the goals we’ve conceded – some of the performances have been OK, but it’s football. Teams are good and when they play City they want to do well. Teams have hurt us. It’s just the way it’s been recently. It’s not like the performances have been shocking. They have been a good enough level to get results, but we’ve not come out with any. I’ve not been through this situation before so it’s a new experience for myself."
Foden's Personal Form and the Anfield Test
Foden's individual performance has not reached last season's heights, yet he sees scoring at Anfield as a potential turning point. "I feel my performances have been OK," he stated. "I think every footballer goes through stages like this – it’s about keeping going and hopefully it will come good soon. It would be a nice time to kick off my Premier League goals, but the main thing is getting a result. It doesn’t matter about me. As long as the team get a result – it will give us a lot of confidence."
The Liverpool-City Rivalry: A Game to Relish
The intensity of the Liverpool-City rivalry wasn't lost on Foden. "It’s massive. It’s obviously one of the biggest rivalries at the moment and over the past few years. It’s a big occasion for me and it’s a game you want to play well in. It’s these games you look forward to." He emphasized the significance of this clash and the desire to perform well in such a high-stakes match.
Foden's Perspective on Liverpool's Success
Foden's analysis of Liverpool's surprising success sheds light on their title challenge. He suggests that flying under the radar, escaping the immense pressure placed on City and Arsenal, has contributed to their consistent performance. He acknowledged that Liverpool, given their squad's strength, were always potential title contenders. "They have done really well but I knew Liverpool were always going to be up there challenging for the title with the squad they have. There is still a long way to go and we know how quickly it can change." He also pointed out the emergence of other title contenders such as Chelsea. He believes this season is shaping up to be incredibly competitive with many teams in contention for the title. The unpredictable nature of the season makes for an exciting spectacle. Despite City's recent struggles, Foden remains confident. He's experienced the team's ability to bounce back from adversity before, recalling a similar situation in 2020 when City turned things around.
City's Resilience: A Look Ahead
Despite their recent form, Foden is unwavering in his belief that City will overcome their challenges, emphasizing their ability to recover from setbacks. "It just shows that the blip we’ve had, every team can have. It shows football can be a crazy sport sometimes," he reflected. He stressed the importance of focusing on the future rather than dwelling on past mistakes. "We know it could have gone a lot different. It’s football and it happens. We are forever grateful for what we have won in the past, so this is the challenge now – every team wants to beat Man City, so it’s about facing the challenge and finding new ways to create things and score goals. You can’t dwell on the past, you have to look forward to the future." The focus is now squarely on the Liverpool game, and the players are determined to turn the page and move forward. The team's hunger remains and with a win, they are confident that their form will shift.
The Toughest Opponents: A Tribute to Liverpool's Might
Foden paid tribute to the formidable Liverpool side of the Klopp era, singling out Mane, Salah, and Firmino as particularly challenging opponents. "It’s hard to say one player, but if I had to say a team it would be Liverpool when Mane, Salah, Firmino, were together. Their team was sensational. The way they pressed. That was the toughest game, when we used to play them. Over a long period, Liverpool have been the ones that challenged us the most." This shows the level of respect he holds for the Reds and the exceptional level of the team he faced under Klopp. He also acknowledged the current Liverpool team under Arne Slot, stating that they "look frightening." He recognizes that the game will be incredibly challenging but that his team is up for it. The match is undoubtedly a significant test, representing a high-stakes challenge against a top-flight opponent. The team remains committed and eager to overcome this obstacle.
