Manchester City lost 3-1 against Liverpool at Anfield in the Premier League on Sunday to drop nine points behind the leaders.
City head into the international break in fourth-place as a result of the defeat.
However, City were unhappy with Fabinho’s opening goal claiming that Trent Alexander-Arnold handled the ball in his own penalty area during the build-up play.
Midfielder of Turkish origin Ilkay Gundogan started for the Citizens and did not hold back after the game regarding his thoughts on the penalty incident.
In quotes cited by the MEN, the City man said: “What do you want me to say right now? Obviously as a City player it feels like a disadvantage for us.
“We saw the incident again in the dressing room afterwards and for me, obviously, it’s a penalty – but if you ask a Liverpool player they would say ‘You can give it but it’s maybe a 50-50 situation’.
“I don’t think it’s easy to judge and I’m not here to make a statement on that, but there were a few situations where I thought maybe we could have had a decision for us. It didn’t happen and there’s nothing you can do.”
Had City beat Liverpool they would have closed the gap to just three points but despite falling nine points behind Gundogan still believes the reigning champions can catch the Reds.
“We have to accept it, but there is a long way to go. Last season in January we were quite far behind and able to turn it around,” he added.
“But we are not independent any more – we have to see how our competitors do, especially Liverpool, and that makes the situation more uncomfortable.
“We have to keep trying to play well and amass as many points as possible.
“I don’t feel the title has already gone, and I don’t think the Liverpool players will feel like that, because we are all professionals.
“We all try to do our best on the pitch but sometimes it doesn’t work out – we are human beings.”
Gundogan also took to social media after the game to tell fans that he does not think the title race is over yet.
//twitter.com/IlkayGuendogan/status/1193841843915706369?s=20