Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp claims ‘anyone who thinks Kevin De Bruyne’s injury levels playing field is an a**hole’
Belgium international will miss three months of action with a knee injury but Klopp knows Manchester City have plenty of other attacking options to call on
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JURGEN KLOPP insists he is not taking any delight from rivals Manchester City having to make do without star player Kevin De Bruyne for the start of the season.
The Premier League champions were dealt a blow this week when De Bruyne, their player of the year last season, sustained a serious knee problem.
The Belgium international does not require surgery on his lateral knee ligament injury but he will be on the sidelines for around three months.
But Liverpool manager Klopp refused to get drawn on whether that could play into his side’s hands as they look to challenge City for the title.
Speaking to he said: "I think somebody who thinks like that, about a situation like that, is an a**hole, to be honest. I am not like that. First of all, I wish him the absolute very best.
"I love this player, I wanted him desperately when I was at Dortmund and he was at Chelsea, but Jose didn't give him to me!
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"What a season he had, what a World Cup he played. I really feel for him.”
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has blamed the hectic fixture schedule for De Bruyne’s injury.
The setback will mean reshuffling the City midfield but Klopp is in no doubt that his rivals have plenty of able alternatives to turn to.
He added: “They have options of course, like they always have options, they brought in Riyad Mahrez, but they can all play in different positions.
"Bernardo Silva can play a bit deeper, [Phil] Foden can play in positions, [Ilkay] Gundogan can play in positions.
"Nobody needs to worry about Man City and their quality, there is still a lot there. We don't look at the other teams, we really only try to make the best of our situation, and that will hopefully work."