Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp’s comments on Kevin De Bruyne’s impending return from injury highlights just how crucial the midfielder is to the Premier League title race. The Belgian midfielder has been out since City’s opening day 3-nil win over Burnley. He returned to the City squad as an unused substitute during the weekend win over Sheffield United.
The Liverpool manager spoke of this season’s title race and made mention of De Bruyne’s return. Speaking before his side beat Newcastle United 4-2 Klopp said: “But last week – it feels like a few hours ago – Arsenal were running away with it. If you speak today about it then you will say, ‘That’s it for them’. Tottenham were out. Now they’re back in. Kevin De Bruyne is warming up. The whole country is starting to shake.”
While Jurgen Klopp’s side sits on top of the Premier League table it appears telling that the Liverpool boss has commented on De Bruyne’s return. With Manchester City set to welcome back one of world football’s premier midfielders it could be a crucial component of this season’s title race.
Pep Guardiola’s side has managed to keep pace with Liverpool, Arsenal and Aston Villa without their star midfielder. They also had a poor run of results during November/December but are still within 5 points of Liverpool with a game in hand. It has the treble winners well placed for a charge in the second half of the season to overhaul Jurgen Klopp’s side.
While the comments of the Liverpool manager may have been tongue in cheek there is a element of truth to his statement. No other title contender has a player of Kevin De Bruyne’s quality about to return and his imminent return may be crucial in the second half of the season.
