The last time Manchester City won at Anfield was in 2003. Midfielder Phil Foden was just two years old.
He’s still a baby, at least in footballing terms, which is a scary prospect for the rest of the league.
Phil Foden was sublime as Manchester City seized control of the Premier League title race with a 4 – 1 win at Anfield.
Manchester City are now five points clear at the top of the table with a game in hand.
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It looked as if the Liverpool hoodoo would continue to plague City when Ilkay Gundogan missed an early penalty.
However, he made up for it with two close range finishes when City capitalised on two calamitous errors from Reds goalkeeper Allison Becker.
Liverpool’s defensive frailties were further highlighted when more nervousness led to a Raheem Sterling header to make it 3 – 1.
Phil Foden sprinkled some stardust on the result with a stunning drive to make it 4 – 1 and finish the game. The Mohammed Salah penalty earlier on was scant consolation for a Liverpool team who now face the prospect of dropping out of the top four after their title tilt collapsed.
As ever with a talented young English player, there was a huge desire to see Foden given his chance. Guardiola was more patient with him, insisting he needed to develop. He also had David Silva in midfield, who wasn’t a man you dropped for a youngster.
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Guardiola spoke after the game about where Foden can still improve. Specifically, he said Foden can get better at understanding when to slow or quicken the pace of his passing as the game demands.
This metronomic playing style is the trademark of midfield maestros like Xavi, Iniesta, Silva, Fabregas, Cazorla – the list goes on.
The idea of a young English talent being groomed in the Spanish style that dominated football for a decade is tantalising. If Guardiola can possibly leave a legacy greater than the scintillating football, the smashed records and all the titles in Manchester it will be Phil Foden.
