Manchester City supporters have voiced their frustration following the team’s disappointing 2-0 defeat to Liverpool at the Etihad Stadium, with many calling for one player to face greater scrutiny.
Liverpool’s victory marked a major step toward reclaiming the Premier League title from their long-time rivals, extending their lead at the top of the table. Goals from Mohamed Salah and Dominik Szoboszlai ensured a comfortable win for Arne Slot’s side, pushing them 11 points clear in the title race.
For City, the defeat was a significant setback in their pursuit of a fifth consecutive league title under Pep Guardiola. The reigning champions have dominated English football in recent years, with Liverpool’s last Premier League triumph coming in 2020. However, this loss highlighted some concerning trends, with Guardiola’s men struggling to impose themselves against their title rivals.
Despite City’s efforts to turn the game around, they rarely looked like taking control, and many fans were left questioning the performance of one particular player—Phil Foden. The attacking midfielder was widely regarded as the best player in the league last season, earning the PFA Player of the Year award after playing a key role in City’s title-winning campaign. However, his form in the current season has been inconsistent, and the defeat to Liverpool appears to have been the final straw for some supporters.
Foden played the entire 90 minutes but failed to make a meaningful impact. He did not register a single key pass and lost possession 15 times, leaving many City fans questioning whether he has been unfairly shielded from criticism despite his struggles.
Following the match, social media was flooded with comments from frustrated fans who believe Foden has been overly protected this season. While the England international had a strong start to 2025, his recent performances have left much to be desired, and some supporters argue that he has not faced the same level of criticism as other players who have underperformed.
One fan wrote: “Foden needs to start facing more criticism. I love him, but the constant protection isn’t helping him improve. He’s been shocking this season, and last year he was the face of Manchester City.”
Another added: “Phil Foden is performing worse than Kevin De Bruyne, yet we always hear discussions about ‘Kevin’s legs being gone’ while Foden escapes criticism.”
A third supporter commented: “Foden, Foden, Foden—I don’t see anything from him at all, and I haven’t for months.”
A fourth bluntly stated: “City fans need to stop defending Foden.”
The criticism stems from a sharp decline in Foden’s attacking output compared to last season. In the current Premier League campaign, he has scored seven goals and provided just two assists. While those numbers are respectable, they pale in comparison to his incredible form last season, when he registered 19 goals and eight assists.
Many fans believe that Foden, once heralded as the future of Manchester City, needs to rediscover his best form quickly if he is to maintain his status as one of the team’s key players. Guardiola has consistently shown faith in the 24-year-old, but with City slipping further behind in the title race, some supporters are questioning whether the manager needs to make difficult decisions regarding his attacking lineup.
With the business end of the season approaching, Foden will be under pressure to prove his critics wrong and deliver the kind of performances that made him one of the most exciting talents in English football. Whether he can rise to the challenge remains to be seen, but for now, the calls for greater accountability continue to grow.
Fans think it’s ‘time for a conversation’ about one Man City player after his performance against Liverpool
