Ilkay Gundogan has pinpointed the two matches against Liverpool as crucial to Manchester City ’s title hopes this season.
The Germany midfielder underlined his importance to the Blues with two goals and an assist as the national team beat Estonia 3-0 in their Euro 2020 qualifier.
And he said that anyone writing off City at this stage have short memories.
They hauled back a seven-point gap in the second half of that campaign, partly as a result of a 2-1 win in a tense, exhilarating encounter at the Etihad Stadium .
And Gundogan says the experience of last season is fresh in their minds: “The situation is not a new one for us - we were seven points behind in January of last season, which is a house number, a big gap.
“But we play against Liverpool twice more, we have the direct duels and we can cut the gap to two points. Everything is still on.”
Gundogan signed a new City deal in the summer after a delay, committing his future to the club until he is 32 years old.
He said that he was happy with the decision as “I am totally comfortable here.
“The athletic appeal is extremely high. The Premier League is a huge challenge and in the Champions League we have a lot in mind with City.”
Gundogan was named man of the match by Germany and Tottenham legend Jurgen Klinsmann, who said: “Ilkay was constantly playable and always trying to keep up the pace.
“He was enormously important [going] forward, but also behind as an interceptor.”
