Ilkay Gundogan has acknowledged that a defeat to Premier League leaders Liverpool on Sunday could effectively end Manchester City’s title challenge as they look to recover from a poor run of form.
City squandered a 3-0 lead against Feyenoord in the Champions League on Tuesday, extending their losing streak to five consecutive defeats in all competitions.
For the first time in his 942-game managerial career, Pep Guardiola witnessed his side fail to win a match after holding a three-goal lead.
Having won the last four Premier League titles, City now find themselves eight points adrift of Liverpool, managed by Arne Slot, after suffering three consecutive losses in the league.
Guardiola conceded City’s title defence would realistically be over should they lose at Anfield after last week’s 4-0 humbling by Tottenham.
Germany international Gundogan agreed with his manager’s assessment following the Feyenoord defeat.
“To stay in the title race, probably yes, (it’s a game City can’t afford to lose), because 11 points would be a huge gap,” said the midfield veteran.
“Anfield is always tough, no matter the situation. We’ve struggled in recent years going there and we know Liverpool are a great team full of confidence right now.
“It’s going to be as tough as it is possible to be but that sums up the situation right now. It seems we have to go through this season the toughest way possible.”
City appeared to be back on track when leading 3-0 against Feyenoord, thanks to two goals from Erling Haaland either side of a deflected Gundogan effort.
But two errors from Josko Gvardiol late in the game allowed Feyenoord back into the game before an Ederson blunder led to a last-gasp David Hancko equaliser.
