Manchester City midfielder Ilkay Gundogan has warned his team-mates that they must not be guilty of committing any mistakes when they go up against Liverpool in Sunday's huge Premier League title showdown at the Etihad Stadium.
City, who put one foot in the semi-finals of the Champions League with a 1-0 win over Atletico Madrid on Tuesday evening, will lock horns with Jurgen Klopp's side aiming to open a four-point cushion at the top of the table. The two sides are currently separated by just a point following Liverpool's formidable run of form in recent weeks.
The Anfield club moved to the top of the table for the first time since September last Saturday lunchtime after beating Watford 2-0. However, they were knocked off of the summit almost immediately as City responded with a 2-0 triumph of their own against Burnley at Turf Moor to return to the top just a few hours later.
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With the battle for the title proving neck and neck, Sunday's clash at the Etihad could prove to be defining in who lays their hands on the trophy come the end of the season. With Liverpool currently in a rich vein of form, winning 44 of their last 54 games in all competitions, Gundogan is fully aware of the size of the challenge that lies ahead.
"Liverpool are amongst the best teams in the world right now," Gundogan admitted, speaking to Turkish TV channel Tivibu Spor. "They have achieved incredible form and the game will be tough.
"We want to win against them at home. It will be a match of the same level and we must not make mistakes.
"They are a very effective team on the counterattack. We are a team that loves to play with the ball.
"If we make a turnover, they can punish us. We have to be careful."
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