Klopp: 'De Bruyne injury changes nothing'

De Bruyne has been ruled out for at least three months with a knee injury, and Liverpool have been tipped as City's biggest challenge.

Speaking to 'Sky Sports' Klopp made it clear that City have more than enough squad depth to make up for the Belgian's absence.

He also revealed why he was so keen to sign De Bruyne while at Dortmund, before he was beaten to it by then-Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho.

He told the reporter: "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, Foden can play in positions, 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."

De Bruyne only returned to training last week after having time off following the World Cup in Russia.

He has now been ruled out for at least three months, a blow to City's title defence at the first hurdle.