Sunday Mirror (Northern Ireland)
GUARDIOLA’S
ETIHAD ACE FODEN LOVES TO PHIL HIS BOOTS WHEN IT’S KOP ARCH-RIVALS
PHIL FODEN has got Liverpool in his sights again – and insists Manchester City’s record against their title rivals gives Pep Guardiola’s side confidence they will prevail again at the Etihad.
Foden has scored in each of his last three appearances against the Merseysiders and Guardiola is yet to lose a Premier League home game at the hands of Jurgen Klopp.
Liverpool have taken all three points away from the Etihad just once in their last 12 visits.
Foden said: “I don’t think my scoring record has so much to do with Liverpool – I just think it is a big game and I like playing in big games.
“I like the pressure and I feel like I play better. It is another big game for me and I just want to express myself.
“Hopefully, I can carry on that record and carry on that form. We’ve only lost one at home in 12 years in the Premier League against Liverpool and that is such a great record to have.
“Hopefully we can carry that on. If we have the fans behind us, with the way we play, I am sure we can.
“It was definitely important to win at Anfield last season and now every time that we go there we feel like we can do that again.
“We know Liverpool are a great team and it is such a challenge. Hopefully we can break them down and win.”
Foden insists City are not daunted by a schedule that will see them face Liverpool twice in the space of six days – today’s Premier League duel then Saturday’s FA Cup semi-final.
Before that, in midweek, they travel to Atletico Madrid after beating the Spanish side 1-0 in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final.
Foden came off the bench to set up the Kevin De Bruyne strike that sank Diego Simeone’s cynical visitors.
Foden said: “When we saw the schedule and the tough games that we have got we were all just excited to go out there and try to play against the best opposition and try to win.
“We have got to beat the biggest teams to win things. The rivalry with Liverpool is massive. Over the past four years it has grown and now it has become a big thing.
“We have been the two strongest sides in the past few years. It’s a rivalry where we know we are both great teams and we can both win on our day.
“I would say they are the hardest team to play against.
The way that they press you and give you no time on the ball.
“It is something we have to prepare for, but we know our strengths can hurt them as well.
“It is going to be a great game.”