Midfielder admits City need win at Anfield to stay in title race | OneFootball

Ilkay Gundogan believes Manchester City’s Premier League title hopes could be over if they suffer defeat to Liverpool at Anfield this weekend.

The champions are enduring a dismal run of form, failing to win in six matches across all competitions and slipping eight points behind Liverpool in the league standings.

City’s recent struggles continued in midweek as they squandered a 3-0 lead to draw 3-3 with Feyenoord in the Champions League

The result marked the first time in Pep Guardiola’s managerial career that his side failed to win a match after leading by three goals.

Gundogan, who rejoined City in the summer after a short stint with Barcelona, admitted the Feyenoord collapse felt like a defeat.

“Right now, it is tougher. It feels like a loss,” he said. “The sensation is big disappointment, but football sometimes creates incredible and difficult moments that you have to face.”

City looked set to bounce back from their 4-0 league defeat to Tottenham Hotspur last weekend, racing to a three-goal lead through Erling Braut Haaland’s brace and a deflected Gundogan strike.

However, defensive errors, including two from Josko Gvardiol and a late mistake by Ederson, allowed Feyenoord to stage a dramatic comeback.

The German midfielder acknowledged the importance of Sunday’s clash against Liverpool, describing it as a must-win game.

“To stay in the title race, probably yes, it’s a game we can’t afford to lose,” Gundogan added. “Eleven points would be a huge gap.”

He also highlighted the challenge of facing Liverpool at Anfield, a venue where City have struggled in recent years.

“Anfield is always tough, no matter the situation,” Gundogan said. “Liverpool are a great team full of confidence right now.”

Guardiola echoed Gundogan’s sentiment, admitting the difficulty of mounting a title challenge if City fail to deliver this weekend.

The Spaniard conceded that consistency has eluded his side this season, a stark contrast to their dominance in recent years when they claimed four consecutive league titles.

City currently sit second in the Premier League with 23 points, one ahead of Arsenal in fourth but nine adrift of leaders Liverpool.

A positive result at Anfield could provide the boost City desperately need, but another setback would leave their title defence hanging by a thread.