Foden steals the show from Haaland
Manchester City takes advantage of Klopp’s mistake
February 5, 2024, 11:02 p.m
After a poor performance at Arsenal FC, Liverpool FC is losing ground in the fight for the English championship. And Manchester City likes to take advantage of that. With an outstanding Phil Foden, but also with difficulty, the star ensemble wins at Brentford FC.
Erling Haaland made his longed-for starting eleven comeback after two months – but a teammate became the goal hero at Manchester City. The English national soccer player Phil Foden scored all three goals in a 3-1 (1-1) win at Brentford FC and led the champions to second place in the table. Jürgen Klopp and Liverpool FC, who lost the top game 3-1 at Arsenal FC, are now only two points away from the top. Furthermore, City still has one more game to play and the title is in their own hands.
Last season, the Citizens lost both games against Brentford, and this time too the favorites got off to a false start at the Community Stadium: Neal Maupay (21st) initially put the relegation candidates in the lead. Foden equalized before the break in the third minute of stoppage time and added two more goals (53rd/70th). Haaland prepared the last goal. A stress reaction in his foot forced the Norwegian to take a long break.
Klopp had defended his players after a serious mistake in the top game. “This just shows that the boys are human beings,” said the German coach after the 3-1 defeat, addressing defense chief Virgil van Dijk and goalkeeper Alisson. After the interim equalizer, a major misunderstanding between the two Liverpool professionals led to 2-1 for Arsenal. “I take full responsibility for the goal, I made the wrong decision. I should have just hit the ball away,” said van Dijk.
Klopp said the Londoners’ victory was ultimately “deserved” anyway. “We weren’t good enough today,” said the 56-year-old: “They scored goals and were better than us in many areas. We have to play better football, that’s clear.”