Football news - No cup distractions give Liverpool advantage in title race - Ilkay Gundogan

Liverpool's elimination from England's domestic cup competitions gives them an advantage in the Premier League title race with fewer fixtures while Manchester City fight it out on four fronts, City midfielder Ilkay Gundogan said on Sunday.

Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool were knocked out in the third round of both the League and FA Cups this season while City are still alive in all four competitions, with a League Cup final against Chelsea scheduled on February 24.

Liverpool lead City by two points in the title race and Gundogan believes that a lighter fixture load could work in his former manager Klopp's favour, as it did during his time at Borussia Dortmund. The Bundesliga side won successive league titles in 2011 and 2012 under Klopp.

Jurgen Klopp embraces Ilkay Gundogan after the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final Second Leg match between Manchester City and Liverpool

Image credit: Getty Images

Premier League

‘We were very composed’ – Ten Hag hails Man Utd recovery after ‘unacceptable’ mistakes

7 hours ago

"We had an advantage of just playing Saturday, Saturday, Saturday and the week off in between. He (Klopp) is in a similar situation now with Liverpool, just the Premier League and then the Champions League on top," Gundogan told reporters.

"When you have no concerns in your mind you are able to win a lot of times, that's how I felt when we were able to win at Dortmund.

"Maybe it's going to be an advantage for them. It's nothing we can change right now, they have to play their games and we have to play ours."

Liverpool will look to stretch their lead to five points in Monday's clash at West Ham while City travel to Everton on Wednesday for a midweek league fixture.

Football

Klopp: I can only apologise, we should have done better

7 hours ago

Transfers

Chelsea undecided on Pochettino future - Paper Round

7 hours ago

Premier League

Mateta double sees Palace past Newcastle as 10-man Bournemouth beat Wolves

8 hours ago