This article is part of Football FanCast’s Pundit View series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent quotes from journalists, pundits, players and managers…

BBC Sport pundit Garth Crooks has praised Kyle Walker after his goalscoring display against Southampton during a difficult time for him.

What did he say?

Walker bagged the winner for City as they fought back from a goal down against the Saints. His well-taken half volley smashed into the back of the net and meant that the club remain just six points adrift of leaders Liverpool.

Crooks was impressed with his performance in what is a tough time for the Englishman right now.

He told the BBC: “The Liverpool full-back was outstanding against Aston Villa, but so was Walker against a Southampton side who were at times quite brilliant.

“Alexander-Arnold demonstrated his extraordinary two-footedness and why he is such a serious threat to Walker’s international future.

“Walker, on the other hand, looks like he’s prepared to take on Alexander-Arnold’s challenge. The former Tottenham defender provided the assist and scored City’s winner, which may keep Alexander-Arnold and the Reds from getting their hands on that elusive title.”

Fighting spirit

Walker has endured a tough time in his career over the past few months. The form of his nemesis, Alexander-Arnold, along with the rise of Kieran Trippier at Atletico Madrid has seen him lose his place in the England squad.

Plus, the signing of Joao Cancelo has put his position at City under serious threat as well.

However, Walker bounced back with a game-winning goal in the 86th minute against Southampton while he also provided the assist for Sergio Aguero’s equaliser.

His goal proved to be vitally important as Liverpool also secured three points in dramatic fashion. Now, with the two set to clash this weekend, Walker has put the Citizens in a positive mindset with his late goal.

Walker will naturally share the right-back berth with Cancelo in the coming months, and his challenge during that time will be to prove to Guardiola that he should be trusted in the starting XI in City’s biggest games of the season, such as the fixture that looms on the horizon.

The former Tottenham Hotspur man showed a fighting spirit on Saturday afternoon and Crooks is right to allude to his fighting spirit amid doubts over his international future.

It seems the 29-year-old is not ready to throw the towel in just yet.