Klopp Has Strong Words for Anyone Happy with DeBruyne’s Injury

Not longer after Kevin DeBruyne spoke of Liverpool’s strong business in the transfer window, the Belgian midfielder picked up an injury in training that we’ve learned will keep the player sidelined for a few months. DeBruyne was a key figure for Manchester City last season on their quest for the Premier League championship belt.

So, of course, there have been plenty of rival fans expressing their joy at DeBruyne’s long-term absence, hoping the loss of the Citizens’ engine will reduce City to a level that perhaps they feel their own team will be more comfortable competing with.

But Jürgen Klopp says it so much better.

“I think somebody who thinks like that, about a situation like that, is an asshole, to be honest,” said Klopp.

“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 (Mourinho) didn’t give him to me!”

DeBruyne’s loss will certainly be felt at Man City, but the pragmatic, Liverpool manager knows that there are more than enough exceptional players in Pep Guardiola’s squad to cover it.

“They have options of course, like they always have options,” Klopp said. “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.”