Ilkay Gundogan has openly admitted that Manchester City’s Premier League title ambitions will be severely dented if they fail to secure a victory against Liverpool on Sunday.
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The reigning champions have endured a dismal run of form, recording five defeats and a draw in their last six games across all competitions.
Liverpool currently sit eight points ahead of City at the top of the table, putting significant pressure on Pep Guardiola’s side ahead of their trip to Anfield.
Gundogan’s Concerns Over the Title Race
Speaking about the importance of Sunday’s fixture, Gundogan acknowledged that an 11-point gap would be nearly insurmountable, even with a large portion of the season remaining.
He emphasized the need for Manchester City to reflect and address their vulnerabilities swiftly. Despite their struggles, he recognized Liverpool’s confidence and acknowledged the challenge posed by Anfield, a ground where City have historically struggled to perform.
Guardiola’s Assessment of City’s Fragility
Pep Guardiola echoed his midfielder’s sentiments, agreeing that the match is pivotal. The City boss pointed to his team’s fragility in recent weeks and the need to rectify multiple issues contributing to their poor run.
Guardiola admitted that the solution was not straightforward, as the problems stemmed from a variety of factors.
Liverpool’s Momentum
Under Arne Slot, Liverpool have been in exceptional form, recently drawing against Arsenal but following up with five consecutive victories in the Premier League, Champions League, and League Cup.
Slot’s side appears primed for another strong showing as they face Real Madrid in the midweek Champions League clash before hosting Manchester City at Anfield.
City’s last victory came over Southampton on October 26, leaving Guardiola and his squad desperate to rediscover their winning ways and keep their title defense alive.
