Man City star set to miss Liverpool clash after crazy Manchester Derby moment

Man City star set to miss Liverpool clash after crazy Manchester Derby moment Phil Foden Red Card Could Hand Liverpool a Major Manchester City Boost Liverpool may have caught a break ahead of the October meeting with Manchester City at Anfield. It is not decisive yet, and there is still room for appeal, but the issue is straightforward. Phil Foden was sent off in the Manchester derby for violent conduct, and if the standard punishment is applied, he could miss the trip to face Andoni Iraola’s side. That matters. Foden remains one of City’s most dangerous players, one of the few who can distort a game with one touch, one run or one rash of movement between the lines. Take him out, and City still have quality, but they lose a problem Liverpool would otherwise have to spend 90 minutes trying to contain. Foden red card puts City on alert The incident itself was messy and, for City, avoidable. Bruno Fernandes appeared to foul Foden and then seemed to kick out while the City man was on the floor. Foden then reacted, appearing to kick out with both feet towards Fernandes’ midriff. Michael Oliver did not hesitate. He produced a straight red card. Photo: IMAGO The verdict was backed immediately. Premier League Match Centre stated: “The referee’s call of red card to Foden for violent conduct was checked and confirmed by VAR.” It then added Oliver’s explanation: “Red card Phil Foden – kick out into the body of Bruno [Fernandes],” with the VAR response, “That looks like a clear red card to me. Looks to be a secondary movement. Confirming the red card for Manchester City No.47.” That language is important. “Violent conduct” usually brings a three-match suspension. Unless City overturn it, Foden would be ruled out of the EFL Cup tie against Norwich City, the Premier League game at home to Sunderland, and then Liverpool. Liverpool boost before Anfield test For Liverpool, this is useful, because the start to the league season has been uneven. One win and three draws is not a crisis, but it is not clean either. Iraola is still trying to settle the side and the team has looked short of rhythm in key areas. That is the reality. City are the sort of opponent who expose uncertainty quickly. They force structure, discipline and concentration. In that context, losing Foden would be significant for them and welcome for Liverpool. It removes one elite attacking reference point and, at the very least, narrows the list of threats. Appeal remains key factor There is still an obvious caveat. City can appeal. If they believe the red card was excessive, they may try to get the suspension reduced or removed. That said, clubs do not appeal lightly in these cases. If an appeal is judged frivolous, extra matches can be added. That risk tends to focus minds. So Liverpool have a possible advantage, not a guaranteed one. Before that City game arrives, Iraola’s side must deal with Tottenham in the EFL Cup and Bournemouth in the Premier League. Those fixtures matter more immediately. Still, if Foden’s ban stands, Liverpool will face Manchester City without one of their sharpest weapons. At this level, that is a boost, plain and simple.