Manchester City have lost a key figure for three months, but the man in charge at Liverpool doubts that will impact the Premier League title battle
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp considers anybody suggesting that Kevin De Bruyne’s injury blow at Manchester City has levelled the Premier League playing field to be “an a**hole”.
The reigning champions are reeling from the news that their Player of the Year from 2017-18 is set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
Pep Guardiola does, however, have a star-studded squad at his disposal and believes he has the depth to cover the absence of a key creative figure.
Klopp also considers that to be the case, with there little to suggest that the wheels will come off for City even when taking into account an untimely setback for a player he has always rated highly.
The German tactician told Sky Sports on De Bruyne and claims his knee ligament damage could work in Liverpool’s favour: "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!
"What a season he had, what a World Cup he played. I really feel for him. 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."
Both City and Liverpool made winning starts to their respective 2018-19 campaigns on the opening weekend.
Guardiola’s side proved too strong for Arsenal at Emirates Stadium while Klopp’s men swept past West Ham at Anfield.
The paths of two teams considered to be serious title contenders are not due to cross until October 7, with De Bruyne still likely to be missing for the Blues by that point.