Manchester City midfielder Ilkay Gundogan has explained how Liverpool can “punish” his side in the upcoming Premier League clash.
Pep Guardiola's champions City host Liverpool at the Etihad, in what has been billed as a title decider, with just a point separating the rival teams. City know victory over Jurgen Klopp's side will put them in pole position for a fourth title in five years, with a four-point lead and only seven games left to play.
There is no let-up for City in a run of games that will go a long way to defining their season. After Sunday, City go to Atletico Madrid on Wednesday, for the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final, with Guardiola's side holding a 1-0 lead. City face Liverpool again the following Saturday at Wembley, in the semi-finals of the FA Cup.
Yet Sunday afternoon’s Premier League title clash at the Etihad appears to be the game that could prove to be definitive in the campaign for both sides. Visitors Liverpool know that a win would take them top of the standings and give them all the momentum heading into the home straight of the campaign.
Klopp’s side have won 17 of their last 18 matches in all competitions and are the form team in the Premier League but are still one point shy of champions City in the title race. The two played out a pulsating 2-2 draw earlier in the campaign at Anfield and Sunday is anticipated to be another closely-fought encounter.
Both sides are also in direct competition in the FA Cup and the Champions League this season, with the Reds aiming for an unprecedented quadruple – having already secured the EFL Cup earlier in the campaign. City midfield star Gundogan has now issued a warning on how Liverpool can hurt them at the Etihad.
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Gundogan explained on Turkish TV Channel, Tivibu Spor: “Liverpool are among the best teams in the world right now. They have achieved incredible form. The league game will be tough. We want to win against them at home. It will be a match between two teams of the same level. We must not make mistakes. They are a very effective team on the counter-attack. We are a team that loves to play with the ball. If we allow them to make a turnover, they can punish us. We have to be careful.”
City are aiming to successfully defend their Premier League title and secure their fourth crown in the space of five seasons. Liverpool are aiming to regain the league they won in 2020 and to draw level with Manchester United on 20 league titles.
