Manchester City forward relishing Liverpool challenge after five-star Borussia Dortmund performance

Manchester City secured a stylish 4-1 victory over Borussia Dortmund in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday, with Phil Foden scoring a brace and Erling Haaland and Rayan Cherki each adding a goal. This win extended City's unbeaten run in the competition this season, propelling them to fourth place in the group-phase standings. The team has been in strong form, winning 10 of their last 13 games across all competitions since September, setting the stage for an upcoming match against reigning champions Liverpool, who have had an inconsistent start to their Premier League title defense.

Jeremy Doku played a key role in the win against Dortmund, delivering one of his best performances for Manchester City by consistently threatening the opposition on the left wing and assisting Haaland for his 18th goal of the season in all competitions. Doku, who has seen improved playing time in 2025 after struggling earlier, is establishing himself as a strong contender for the left attacking position. He effectively combined with teammates such as Phil Foden, Erling Haaland, Nico O'Reilly, and Tijjani Reijnders, contributing to City's resurgence after a slow start to the 2025-26 season.

After the match, Doku expressed enjoyment in his performance but acknowledged areas for improvement, particularly in his final passes and goal-scoring. He emphasized the need for rest and recovery ahead of the important game against Liverpool, highlighting the team's focus on preparation. Under Pep Guardiola's guidance, Doku has gained a new lease of life, feeling less pressured about his end product in front of goal since joining City from Rennes in 2023.

This season, Manchester City has undergone a significant transformation, including a dressing room revamp and the appointment of Hugo Viana as director of football, who facilitated increased spending in the transfer window to provide Guardiola with fresh resources. These changes have helped the team regain momentum and build confidence as they approach key fixtures like the one against Liverpool.