It’s time for Pep Guardiola to unleash a Manchester City legend on Sunday | OneFootball

Manchester City face the daunting task of playing Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday. It looms as a crucial Premier League fixture for Pep Guardiola’s side for a multitude of reasons. First and foremost the world champions will want to stay within touching distance of Arne Slot’s side at the top of the table.

To do that Manchester City must somehow pick up three points at Anfield on Sunday. At worst, they cannot fall to another defeat against the Premier League leaders. That will be no easy task based on City’s recent form. To help strengthen City’s bid to win on Sunday it’s time Kevin De Bruyne returned to the starting lineup. The champions need to find inspiration from somewhere to end their winless run. De Bruyne may be the ideal man to help lift his team if he starts on Sunday.

Kevin De Bruyne is pain-free and looks ready to start after his injury layoff.

Earlier this week Kevin De Bruyne explained that he is finally pain-free. The Belgian international missed 9 matches after suffering an injury against Inter Milan before he returned to the bench for Manchester City’s 2-1 defeat to Bournemouth. He made his return to the pitch during the latter stages of his team’s 4-1 defeat to Sporting CP. Since then he has gradually increased his minutes in late substitute appearances.

In an interview which was relayed by CityXtra, De Bruyne explained why it took so long for him to return to the pitch: “It’s basically your lower abdomen, and everything with the nerves around was creating pain in my groin, so I couldn’t really shoot. So every time I would shoot the ball I would get really, really bad pain. So I was trying to find methods to get better, to get my power back, but it took a long time to get better, and actually, it only got better on Friday. I don’t know why the first four days it wasn’t really better, and then on Friday it got better. I can’t explain it, I don’t know why. And now, the last few days, it’s been better. So I’m hoping to get that still going upwards, and that’s it.”

Sunday’s clash with Liverpool appears to be the time for Pep Guardiola to unleash the Manchester City legend.

Although Manchester City were poor during their past two games against Tottenham and Feyenoord Kevin De Bruyne did play two promising cameos off the bench. He looked fit and you could see that De Bruyne looks like he is ready to step up for Pep Guardiola’s side. The Manchester City legend remains one of City’s most important and influential players and his presence is desperately required in City’s starting lineup.

Sunday’s match at Anfield could be the ideal setting for Kevin De Bruyne to return to the Manchester City starting lineup. Arne Slot’s side possesses a strong midfield, and Pep Guardiola’s side will need to win the midfield battle to prosper at Anfield. It looms as a key battle that could decide Sunday’s match. To do this Manchester City will likely need De Bruyne on the pitch from the start.

His mere presence on the pitch from the start could give his teammates the lift they need. De Bruyne starting would also give Liverpool something to think about. De Bruyne is a match winner and Arne Slot’s side would have to adjust their approach to contain the City legend. Those are just two of the flow effects of De Bruyne’s inclusion in the starting lineup for Sunday’s match. There are more but those two immediately stand out.

It’s now time for Kevin De Bruyne to return to the starting lineup. Sunday’s clash with Liverpool looks to be the ideal occasion for it to occur. Pep Guardiola’s side needs a lift and so often in the past De Bruyne has been the man to provide it.

There is no doubt De Bruyne is capable and it’s time the band aid was ripped off. Manchester City need all the help they can get on the pitch at the moment and a pivotal moment in their season looms on Sunday and it may take a pivotal player in City’s squad starting on Sunday to see them seize it.