Kevin De Bruyne offers insight into Manchester City’s mentality in a tight title chase with Liverpool.
No one saw Liverpool having a season like this. Even when Jurgen Klopp’s side were keeping pace with City in November, everyone expected Pep Guardiola to pull his team clear.
Instead, Liverpool are four points clear after 22 games. Klopp and co won every game in December as City lost twice, handing the Reds top spot.
It’s in stark contrast to last season. City had the title all but wrapped up by now, eventually confirming it with five games to spare and with a 19 point lead.
But how has that affected City? Having runaway with the title, they will have expected something similar this year.
De Bruyne on the Liverpool title challenge
City playmaker Kevin De Bruyne has spoken out on the title race with Liverpool, looking at it very positively.
“There’s two teams and even Tottenham, who have so many points at this stage of the season,” said De Bruyne, according to Sky Sports.
“It’s quite remarkable because in a lot of seasons you would already be 10 or 12 points ahead, but this season it’s tight and I like it.
“I like it to be competitive. In the end that’s what it’s all about.”
De Bruyne was hardly going to complain at the challenge but it’s nice to see the love of competition.
He’s right about the points total, too. Chelsea were eight points clear at the top in 2017 with one fewer point that City have now. 2016 saw Arsenal and Leicester joint-top at this stage with a massive 16 fewer points than Liverpool have now.
It’s a pattern that continues through the years. Liverpool and City are putting up one of the great title races in years.
And as De Bruyne says, isn’t that what it’s all about?
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