Phil Foden believes Man City's trip to Anfield on Sunday is a must-win game.

City travel to Merseyside on the back of six winless games and will face a Liverpool side who have opened an eight-point gap at the top at the Premier League.

Arne Slot’s men have been in imperious form all season, but Foden believes victory at Anfield is a must.

“Playing in a Man City shirt there are expectations – I don’t think going to Anfield on Sunday is any different,” said Foden.

“Just because the recent results haven’t been right, it doesn’t change much. We have to go there and win. It’s a must win game – we have to think like this.

“Football is a funny old game, and anything can happen. It’s still early – Liverpool are looking strong and looking like they’re not going to lose many points. We’ll see what happens.”

The England star admits the City players were stunned by the midweek failure to beat Feyenoord having led 3-0 only to end up drawing 3-3.

But the thinking among the players, says Foden, is to move forward and not dwell on recent disappointments.

“Obviously there was a bit of disbelief,” he said. “We were controlling the full game, but it is what it is.

“The last few days have been about getting over the result and letting it go.

“We’ve been a bit unfortunate with the goals we’ve conceded – some of the performances have been OK, but it’s football.

“Teams are good and when they play City they want to do well. Teams have hurt us. It’s just the way it’s been recently.

“It’s not like the performances have been shocking. They have been a good enough level to get results, but we’ve not come out with any.

“I’ve not been through this situation before so it’s a new experience for myself.”

And while Foden has been unable to hit the heights of last season as yet, he says finding the net at Anfield and beating Liverpool would be the perfect tonic for the recent setbacks.

“I feel my performances have been OK,” he said.

“ I think every footballer goes through stages like this – it’s about keeping going and hopefully it will come good soon.

“It would be a nice time to kick off my Premier League goals, but the main thing is getting a result. It doesn’t matter about me. As long as the team get a result – it will give us a lot of confidence.”

And on the Liverpool-City rivalry which has dominated English football in recent times, he added: “It’s massive. It’s obviously one of the biggest rivalries at the moment and over the past few years.

“It’s a big occasion for me and it’s a game you want to play well in. It’s these games you look forward to.”