Gundogan backs up Pep Guardiola’s Liverpool Premier League title admission

Ilkay Gundogan has admitted that Manchester City could forget about the title if they lose to Liverpool in Sunday's top-of-the-table clash.

Crisis-hit City's troubles continued on Tuesday as they squandered a 3-0 lead at home to draw 3-3 with Feyenoord in the Champions League, conceding all three goals with 15 minutes remaining.

Although the draw ended a run of five consecutive defeats in all competitions – the first time boss Pep Guardiola had suffered such a run – the late collapse underlined City's current shortcomings.

Arne Slot's Premier League leaders are already eight points clear of nearest challengers City and midfielder Gundogan said an 11-point gap would be too big to close if they lost at Anfield.

After a 4-0 defeat to Tottenham, Guardiola admitted City would be out of the race with another defeat at Anfield. Asked if Sunday's match is a must-win for City, Gundogan said: “To stay in the title race, probably yes, because 11 points would be a huge gap. It's still early in the season.

“There are still many games to be played and a lot can still happen, not only on our side, but with every other team. But of course we have to look at ourselves and try to do the things we can do better as quickly as possible. We'll take it, stay humble, keep our heads down and try to put in the work in the coming days and prepare as best we can for a tough match.

“Anfield is always difficult, no matter the situation. We have struggled to go there in recent years and we know that Liverpool are a great team at the moment, full of confidence. It will be as tough as it can be. But that sums up the situation right now together. It seems like we have to get through this season in the toughest way possible.”

City's aura of invincibility has been stripped away in recent weeks as the players lack confidence heading into their biggest game of the season against the title favourites.

Guardiola's side made history last season by becoming the first team in English football to win four league titles in a row, but their era of dominance appears to be coming to an inglorious end.

Gundogan, who returned to City this summer after a year at Barcelona, ​​said: “Obviously we've done this a bit on our own, but hopefully we can figure it out as quickly as possible, especially in such a big game.

“It would give us a boost to perform well and then obviously get something out of the game. That's how we'll approach the game.

“I think it has also resulted in Tottenham in the last games [losing 4-0 at home] was incredible, the feeling I had was that we could still perform at a high level for periods.

“But the results ultimately showed nothing of this. Tottenham played well and deserved to win, but we must use these moments to lift ourselves up and get up as quickly as possible.

“It's more difficult at the moment. The sensation at this moment is, if I'm honest, a big disappointment. But then again, football is football and it sometimes creates incredible moments and difficult moments that you have to deal with.

“You will only get through it if you confront it, if you accept it, if you are challenged and you do your best to get out of this situation as quickly as possible.”