Football News

Gundogan predicts ‘hot dance’, but draws on positives as Liverpool close in title race

Manchester City midfielder Ilkay Gundogan has predicted a “hot dance” in the run-in to the title race but says past experiences will stand them in good stead.

Liverpool have closed the gap on the current Premier League champions after a five-match winning run. City were streaking away with the title after a phenomenal 12-match winning run which started in November.

But a draw against Southampton and the recent home defeat to Spurs has allowed Liverpool back into the race. Jurgen Klopp’s men now sit just six points behind City with a game in hand and a better goal difference.

Gundogan though says City are unconcerned by Liverpool closing the gap which was 13 points in January after Kevin De Bruyne scored a superb winner against Chelsea.

Of course if Liverpool win their game in hand, which is against Arsenal away later in the month, and win at The Etihad in April then they would be level on points with City.

Gundogan, though, insists he and his team-mates are relaxed about the challenge.

“What do you mean by fear?” he told SportBILD, via Sport Witness, when asked if there was fear from City.

“For the league, it’s extremely exciting and good. The good thing for us is that it’s not an unfamiliar situation.

Subscribe for free to TEAMtalk’s daily newsletter…

Gundogan, Foden aware of huge Liverpool clash looming

“It’s like two years ago, so we should be able to handle the pressure Liverpool are trying to build. We know that we have a very strong team, extremely good players.

 

“And that we are still playing against them at home. Everything is open: It will be a hot dance. But that’s what we play football for!”

City did get back on track with a 1-0 defeat of Everton last weekend and Phil Foden knows the date with Liverpool will prove vital

“We know Liverpool is behind us and they are going to push until the end, so we need to keep the focus on winning game by game. Every game now until the end is going to feel like a final in the Premier League.

“We’ll see how both teams are at the time they visit us. Obviously, that direct confrontation against them is going to be a very important game for the title,” said Foden.

READ MORE: Man City backed to complete ‘huge achievement’ as Sergio Aguero makes trophy prediction

The post Gundogan predicts ‘hot dance’, but draws on positives as Liverpool close in title race appeared first on TEAMtalk.