Phil Foden has praised the rivalry between Liverpool and Manchester City for producing the 'highest standard' Premier League games he has ever seen.
The two heavyweights will clash again on Sunday afternoon in the latest installment of a rivalry that has seen several title clashes in both sides' attempts to win the competition and a number of thrillers on the pitch.
For once, City do not go into the match as favourites, with Pep Guardiola's side without a win in six games and staggeringly out of form. Five of those games were lost, including the last three in the Premier League.
And there is perhaps no tougher place to navigate that streak at the moment than Anfield, where the Reds are flying under Arne Slot and looking to finish nine points clear at the top of the table and also at the top of the Champions League.
It is perhaps a contrast to recent years, when City and Liverpool have been the two best sides in the region, often battling it out for the league title.
And ahead of Sunday's match, Foden was full of praise for both teams for ensuring the games between the two were of such a high quality.
'[They have] produced the highest standard I have seen in the Premier League,” Foden told The Times, via the Independent.
'[Liverpool] is the game I'm looking forward to. These are the matches you live for,” he added.
He also praised some Reds stars from the Jurgen Klopp era, which saw Liverpool win one Premier League title and finish second to City twice.
When asked who has been the toughest opponent of his career, the England star said: 'It's difficult to say one player, but if I had to say a team, it would be Liverpool if Mane, Salah and Firmino were together. Their team was sensational.”
'The way they pressed. That was the toughest game when we played them. Over a long period of time, Liverpool have been the ones who have challenged us the most.”
Klopp managed Liverpool between October 2015 and the end of last season, leaving the club with a plethora of trophies, including one Premier League title and one Champions League.
When Arne Slot took over this summer, it was expected that there would be a period of adjustment, but the Reds have only just moved on and are now competing on all fronts this year.
“They look scary,” Foden said of Liverpool under Slot. 'They've been a bit under the radar because everyone was talking about City and Arsenal, but we know how good they are.
'[Sunday’s match] it will be a challenge and we are ready for it.”
The England star also backed his own side to turn around their fortunes, adding: 'The hunger is definitely still there. It's about just getting over it.
“I'm pretty sure we'll be fine once we get the results back up.”
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