Defeat at Liverpool could end Man City title hopes — Gundogan

MANCHESTER, United Kingdom — Ilkay Gundogan admits defeat at Premier League leaders Liverpool on Sunday could end Manchester City’s Premier League title challenge as they scramble to end their poor run of form. City squandered a 3-0 lead against Feyenoord in the Champions League on Tuesday — following five consecutive defeats in all competitions.

For the first time in what was the 942nd game of his managerial career, manager Pep Guardiola saw his side fail to win a match after leading by three goals. City have won the past four Premier League titles but are already eight points behind Arne Slot’s Liverpool following three straight defeats in the English top flight.

Guardiola conceded City’s title defence would realistically be over should they lose at Anfield after last week’s 4-0 humbling by Tottenham.”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 Gundogan.”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.”