The nightmare scenario that could see Man City face Liverpool FC in play-off for Premier League title

Despite the gut-punching Champions League exit in Madrid last week, there will be some Manchester City fans slightly relieved to have avoided a final meeting with rivals Liverpool.

City and Liverpool are the best two teams in England, and only a sensational late comeback stopped them both from claiming to be the best in Europe. Meetings between the two have been high in quality recently, but only enjoyable for the side that doesn't lose. To lose a Champions League final would be bad enough, but to have Liverpool fans celebrating at the same time would be unbearable for some Blues. And vice-versa.

It would be fair if City won the Premier League and Liverpool won the Champions League, to reward both for brilliant seasons. But City are still far from wrapping up the title, even though they opened up a three-point lead this weekend with three games left. A mounting injury crisis means City will have to limp over the line, and there is now a realistic scenario where one slip-up could let Liverpool back in — and potentially trigger an extra play-off to determine who wins the title.

ALSO READ: Three ways Man City can line up without Dias, Stones and Walker for final three fixtures

City have a three point lead over Liverpool with games against Wolves, West Ham and Aston Villa left. They have a superior goal difference of four goals thanks to the 5-0 win over Newcastle, and that win also took them ahead on goals scored. All factors would come into play if the sides finished level on points.

With Ruben Dias, John Stones and Kyle Walker out for the season, and Nathan Ake absent against Wolves, Pep Guardiola will have to cobble together a makeshift defence for the difficult trips to Molineux and the London Stadiums — both places