Phil Foden says showdown between Manchester City and Liverpool will not be ‘decisive’ in title race

Phil Foden has claimed winning the Premier League will mean more this season because of his side’s close battle with Liverpool – but insisted the showdown between the two teams on Sunday will not be ‘decisive’ in the title race.

Champions City and Liverpool are separated by a solitary point going into the crunch clash at the Etihad, billed by some as a title decider.

Pep Guardiola‘s team know victory over their arch rivals could pave the way to retaining their crown as they would lead Liverpool by four points with seven games remaining.

A win for Jurgen Klopp‘s men in what Foden said is a ‘game that all footballers want to play in’ would see the Reds leapfrog City into top spot.

Phil Foden said the match with Liverpool was a game ‘all players want to play in’

But Foden, who has enjoyed another stellar season in Manchester, believes there will be plenty more twists and turns in the title race.

‘Two teams fighting for the Premier League, very close on points,’ he told Sky Sports. ‘It’s the biggest game and the game that all footballers want to play in.

‘I think there is going to be a lot of neutrals watching it as well. It’s going to be an entertaining game. 

‘Both teams are going at it and it’s not over with this game and there’s going to be lots of ups and downs, I believe, before the end of the season.

‘I don’t believe it will be decisive, the way the Premier League is – I feel like it’s the hardest league. Whatever happens Sunday I believe there is still a lot to play for.’

City cruised to the title last year as they ended 12 points clear of Manchester United, but they have been pushed much harder this season by a familiar foe in Klopp’s Liverpool.

The Reds briefly went top of the league following victory over Watford last Saturday before City won at Burnley to ensure they headed into Sunday’s encounter in front of their main rivals.

‘It’s better to win the hard way sometimes,’ said Foden. 

Foden said winning the title would mean more due to the close battle with Liverpool

The two sides drew 2-2 in a thrilling Premier League encounter at Anfield in October

‘I think it will feel better if one of us just wins instead of just running away with the league.’

Liverpool could yet end the season with a quadruple as they have one foot in the semi-finals of the Champions League after beating Benfica 3-1 in Lisbon on Tuesday, take on City in the last four of the FA Cup and lifted the Carabao Cup in February.

City are chasing a treble to emulate United’s feat in 1999. Guardiola’s side hold a slender 1-0 lead going into the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final with Atletico Madrid on Wednesday before they face Liverpool at Wembley next Sunday. 

The two sides drew 2-2 in a frantic contest at Anfield in October. ‘I have never played in a more high-quality game than that,’ Foden added. 

”It was just the football we were both playing, it was end to end at times.’