Phil Foden showed what a special player he is with a wonderful performance in Manchester City's 4-1 win over Liverpool at Anfield.
Prior to Sunday's triumph, City had not won away at Liverpool since 2003 when Nicolas Anelka scored a late winner - regularly slumping to defeats even when Pep Guardiola arrived at the club.
Foden was just two years age when City last won at Anfield but fast forward to 2021 and 'the Stockport Iniesta' was the star of the show as City ended the wretched run in style.
Ilkay Gundogan bagged a brace despite missing a penalty, Raheem Sterling finally scored at his old stomping ground and Foden capped off a scintillating display with an outrageous solo strike.
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His performance was so good that straight away fans were clamouring for a compilation of his best bits and prayers were quickly answered by @LScomps, who has seen his Foden video amass 140,000 views.
Now one of the first names on the team-sheet for his beloved City, Foden started as a false nine up against the Premier League champions' makeshift centre-back pairing of Jordan Henderson and Fabinho.
Though he wasn't always heavily involved in the first half, he linked play, pressed well and helped create space for others.
But it was in the second half where he truly exploded into life. He was involved in the opener after combining with Sterling down the left, seeing his effort saved by Alisson but parried straight into the path of the onrushing Gundogan, who made amends for that first-half spot-kick.
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He also whipped in a glorious cross that John Stones stabbed home, only to be ruled offside.
After Alisson lost his head and played the ball straight into his path, Foden danced past Jordan Henderson and Andy Robertson for City's and Gundogan's second, smartly cutting the ball back to the in-form German midfielder.
And then the 20-year-old produced a piece of individual brilliance that showed just why Guardiola has described him as the best young talent he has seen.
Fed on the right flank by Gabriel Jesus, Foden's touch was exquisite and he then checked inside before unleashing a rasping effort that rippled the net.
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Alisson had been at fault for two City goals but the pace of this strike made it difficult to blame him here as he simply did not see the strike.
The former City ball-boy and academy product was quite rightly named Man of the Match.
Guardiola didn't go overboard when he said his young prodigy still had a lot to learn in his post-match interview, but did reserve plenty of praise from Foden - and claimed he can get even better.
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"We and Man City fans are lucky to have a guy from the academy who loves Man City, grew up in our academy supporting and being a fan and a ballboy, and has already become a top, top footballer for us," Guardiola said in his press conference, as per the Manchester Evening News.
"In the first half we struggled a lot to find him, he was not in the position he should be - that's why we struggled to find him. When playing in the middle sometimes he has some difficulty and what he has to do and where he has to move.
"Right now he is moving perfectly as a winger and the second and fourth goals were outstanding and phenomenal. He is just 20 years old, he has a huge margin to improve and understand the game a little better.
"The rhythm he plays in as a winger is the rhythm he has to play in the middle. But he has the time to improve it and his mentality - he always has the feeling he can do something close to the box."
Foden is one of many exciting young attacking players Gareth Southgate has at his disposal and Graeme Souness reckons he's right at the top of the tree.
Topics: Manchester City, Phil Foden, Liverpool, Football News, Football
