‘We knew it was impossible’: Kevin De Bruyne admits Manchester City realised there was so way of stopping Liverpool from becoming champions… but the midfielder insists there’s still plenty to be played for this season
Kevin De Bruyne has admitted that he and his Manchester City team-mates knew there was no hope of stopping Liverpool from becoming Premier League champions this season.
City’s defeat by Chelsea at Stamford Bridge handed Liverpool the title – ending the Reds’ long 30-year wait for a league title.
And while De Bruyne fully acknowledges that City were ‘second best’, he insists that there’s still plenty left to play for before the season’s up.
Kevin De Bruyne admits Manchester City knew it would be ‘impossible’ to catch Liverpool
‘We knew it was impossible [to catch them after lockdown],’ he said. ‘You are always disappointed when you don’t win, but I think we are honest enough to say Liverpool were better this year.
‘I think we worked really hard, we played really well but we weren’t good enough and that’s no problem for us to admit.
‘If everything goes to plan for us then I think we still have 13 or 14 games, so we still have a lot to play for and a lot of objectives.’
City won a domestic treble last season – becoming the first team to do so – and have the chance of winning three trophies again this season if their able to add the Champions League title and FA Cup to their Carabao Cup victory.
City’s defeat by Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Thursday handed Jurgen Klopp’s men the title
(L-R) Jordan Henderson, Joe Gomez and Virgil Van Dijk celebrate their title win on Thursday
City’s FA Cup journey continues with a difficult trip to Newcastle on Sunday evening, where they will be looking to advance to the semi-finals.
With City still in contention for yet another successful year, De Bruyne believes teams have been far too quick to write Pep Guardiola and his men off.
‘In comparison with a lot of other teams we are doing alright,’ he added. ‘We are still second, so that means after Liverpool we are the second best team.
‘I think we have still got big chances in the FA Cup and Champions League. Imagine if we come out after winning these cups, it will be an unbelievable season. We have got a lot to play for and look forward to it.’
While City have been lagging compared to their form of the last two seasons, De Bruyne has been in superb form, setting up 16 goals this season while scoring 10 himself.
De Bruyne says there’s plenty to play for as they’re still in the Champions League and FA Cup
De Bruyne is in contention to win the Player of the Year award – an accolade never won by a City player despite their four Premier League title victories.
‘Two years ago I was second and we won the title 20 points ahead, so I don’t know how people decide,’ he said.
‘I think I have a chance. It is not me who decides and I think I can make my own analysis of how this season has gone. Whatever you get in the end is nice, but we will see.’