Phil Foden sends warning to Manchester City doubters ahead of monumental Liverpool clash | OneFootball

Manchester City star Phil Foden has sent a word of warning to those doubting his boyhood club’s chances at silverware this season.

The England international was on fire as he scored a fantastic brace as part of his finest performance in some time in Manchester City’s 4-1 thrashing of Borussia Dortmund in the UEFA Champions League at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday evening.

Having been through a difficult 12 months on and off the pitch, Foden has returned to his best this season and the Stockport-born attacker is surely knocking on the door for England boss Thomas Tuchel ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Foden opened the scoring in exquisite fashion against Dortmund and after Erling Haaland bagged his customary goal soon after, the Manchester City academy graduate secured all three points for Pep Guardiola’s side with a third after 57 minutes.

On how he’s been enjoying his football of late, Foden said: “Loving it! (I) just need to play with a smile on my face, which I’m doing,” in an interview with TNT Sports after City’s 4-1 win.

“Obviously last year was tough for, not just me myself but everyone. There’s a new togetherness this season and you could tell today Dortmund caused some problems, a great team – but we stuck at the plan, broke them down with our talent up front and that’s what we want to try and do.”

Manchester City made a slow start to the season but with 10 wins in their last 13 games in all competitions, Foden has warned his side’s doubters that the Blues remain capable of going all the way in all competitions – despite being in a period of transition in the backdrop of significant changes being made to the first-team squad in the summer.

On whether City are being underestimated this season: “If they are, it doesn’t really bother us. We just have to focus on ourselves and keep putting points on the board. That togetherness goes a long way,” Foden added.

The Englishman is back playing with a smile on his face this season and has been pleased with what he’s seeing from his teammates. “I’m really delighted with everyone, how everyone’s applying the best they can, sticking to the game plan, and hopefully we can keep going as a team now,” Foden added in an interview with Manchester City’s official channels.

“We’re close to getting back to how we used to be, so it’s good to see,” he said ahead of Sunday’s monumental Premier League showdown with Liverpool at the Etihad Stadium.

Foden scored twice in similar fashion against Dortmund on Wednesday – the kind of finish that was the hallmark of the Manchester City forward’s 2023-24 PFA Players’ Player of the Year winning campaign.

“I know I have that talent around the box and it’s about showing it in big games and I’m happy tonight that I pulled it off,” the attacker added, speaking to CBS Sports Golazo.

“I’ve not scored as much as I would’ve thought this season but it’s about believing in yourself, keeping patient, knowing the goals will eventually come. And I think tonight I was sharp in between the lines and managed to get the shot off.”

Guardiola has been pleased with Foden’s form of late and the Manchester City star is expected to retain his starting place against Liverpool this weekend as the Blues look to maintain the pressure on runaway league leaders Arsenal.