Nedum Onuoha believes one Manchester City player is now doing everything Pep Guardiola needs of him to be a regular starter.
Manchester City are preparing for Sunday’s blockbuster clash with Liverpool which could very well decide the Premier League title.
Jurgen Klopp’s outfit currently sit at the top of the table by a point but City could leapfrog them into first with a victory at Anfield.
City will be confident going into the game after going unbeaten in their last 20 matches and defeating Manchester United 3-1 last weekend.
Phil Foden was the star of the show as his stunning brace completed a fantastic turnaround and he will have another huge part to play against Liverpool.
The 23-year-old has become one of Pep Guardiola’s most trusted players this season and Nedum Onuoha has explained why the Blues boss can now rely on him.
Nedum Onuoha praises Phil Foden
Speaking to Planet Premier League, Onuoha said: “I think Guardiola said something last week about how well he’s doing but also said how much he’s improved defensively as well.
“I think that was something which would matter. For Pep I imagine, not that I’ve been coached by him, but I don’t think he can afford to have anyone who’s potentially a liability in either department.
“The attacking side of things has always been there. Some of his skill, his vision, his finishing, his passing.
“This is an incredible player but football’s not one of these sports where you essentially have it all your way all the time.
“Going to places like Anfield, you do need people who are going to be defensively good as well. Otherwise, Liverpool will take advantage of you.
“For him, the fact you can see him play on the right, off the left, play centrally, the drive he has now after having the most successful season that probably anyone will have in their careers, I think it says a lot about his ability.
“Also, it’s very easy to forget how young he is. And how young he started. He’s a tremendous talent and he’s only getting better and better.
“Because he’s so connected to the team because this is the club he supports, he’s driven to always push for more and I’m a big fan of that.”
A massive match is on the horizon
The stakes could not get any higher this weekend as Liverpool and City take each other on in a game that could decide the Premier League title.
Win, lose or draw, the ramifications will be massive for the two teams as well as Arsenal, who would benefit massively from a stalemate.
It’s just a shame both teams are set to be depleted due to injuries for the match.
City are likely to be without Jack Grealish while Jeremy Doku is a doubt after missing the win over FC Copenhagen on Wednesday.
Matheus Nunes could also be a doubt after suffering a nasty finger injury in the game as well.
But that’s not as bad as Liverpool, who suffered yet another injury on Thursday as Ibrahima Konate hobbled off during the win over Sparta Prague.
The centre-back is the latest on a long injury list alongside Alisson, Joel Matip, Diogo Jota, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Curtis Jones, Ryan Gravenberch, Stefan Bajcetic and Thiago.
