Phil Foden says Manchester City have the confidence to go on and win the Premier League title after a ruthless second half display brushed aside Liverpool on Sunday. City – and Foden – found life hard in the first half at Anfield, with Ilkay Gundogan’s missed penalty looking like a wasted chance that the Blues would come to rue. However, Gundogan made amends after the break with two goals, with Raheem Sterling and a wonderful Foden strike completing a remarkable victory to ensure Mo Salah’s penalty to make it 1-1 counted for nothing. Foden ended the game with two assists and a goal, with a second-half performance that was evidence of a player coming of age on the big stage. It was City’s first win at Anfield since 2003 and takes them five points clear at the top of the Premier League with a game in hand. And for Foden, the manner of victory has given the City squad a confidence boost in the dressing room.
Phil Foden said: “It gives us every chance to go on and win it. But the job isn’t done, we’ve still got a long way to go and this is what we need to keep doing, putting the points on the table and carry on winning. When you beat the champions everyone’s confidence goes sky high. It helps you a lot, we haven’t won here for a bit now, so we’re happy to win today.”
Reflecting on City’s performance, and the improved performance after the break, Foden said it was a team effort.
Phil Foden added: “It’s brilliant, every players wants to play in a big game like this,” he said. “We showed our courage from minute one. It’s difficult for us, but we showed courage to play our football and keep going. Even when we lost it, in the first half we carried on playing and in the end it paid off. Sometimes we were a slow team to get going, it was definitely better in the second half. It’s something to work on to start quick every game we can. It’s something to work on. We forced the errors, it’s something we’ve been working on in training, pressing from the front. Everyone worked for eachother and you get your rewards for it.”
And on his slightly different role in a false nine, Foden admitted he has more to work on after enjoying his new responsibilities.
Phil Foden explained: “I enjoy it, it’s not like you have to stay upfront, you can drop in and get the ball. I tried to play it as best I can, I need to learn that side of my game, but I enjoyed it tonight coming and linking play and trying to get in the final third.”
