Captain Kyle Walker has told Manchester City fans the defending champions will “fight until the very end” in this season’s Premier League title race.
The England defender has helped City win the league in each of the past four seasons – and six of the past seven.
But Sunday’s 2-0 loss at leaders Liverpool was City’s sixth defeat in seven games and left them 11 points adrift of top spot in fifth place.
Walker began a social media post, external by saying “a message to our fans”, adding “we’ve won titles in the final games of the season, and we’ve made history with a record-breaking 100-point campaign, right down to the last kick.
“We’ve shown time and time again that we can rise to the challenge, and we will do so again. I promise you, we’ll fight until the very end.”
City let a 3-0 lead slip to draw 3-3 at home to Feyenoord in their last Champions League game so are seven games without a win in all competitions.
If they lose at home to Nottingham Forest on Wednesday the visitors would climb above them in the Premier League table.
“We know our recent performances haven’t been up to the standard we expect, and we’re aware it’s been tough,” said Walker, 34.
“But we’ve been through these challenges before, together, and we’ll come through this one as well.
“It’s important that we all stay together as one club, as Manchester City, through this tough spell.
“Your support, whether in the good times or the difficult moments, means everything to us.”