Manchester City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne looks likely to miss the Premier League clash with Liverpool next month after Pep Guardiola confirmed the Belgian would be absent for up to six weeks.
The reigning PFA Player of the Year picked up a hamstring problem during City’s 2-0 victory over Aston Villa in midweek and his manager confirmed the absence will be a lengthy one during his press conference, saying: “Kevin, like the doctor said today after reviewing the scan, will be 4-6 weeks out”
Liverpool welcome their rivals to Anfield on Sunday 7 February, in a match where Jurgen Klopp will be hoping can put the defending champions back in contention at the top of the table – if they don’t fall even further off the pace by then.
The Reds have hit a worrying slump in recent weeks just as their closest contenders for the last two seasons have hit their stride and currently sit second with a game in hand on the Reds.
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Whilst an injury to any player is never something to celebrate, it’s hard not to sense a possible opportunity when City come to Merseyside in early February without arguably their best performer of the season.
De Bruyne is as important to those around him as Virgil van Dijk is to Liverpool, and his absence will very likely be felt in the coming weeks by Guardiola.
Already this season, the 29-year-old has 13 goal involvements in the Premier League, including an incredible 10 assists. Perhaps his absence is the break that Liverpool need to ease their mounting troubles.
