'Liverpool will push City to the very end'

The playmaker, who was the standout player for Manchester City as they broke all conceivable records in a march to the title, is finally fit to play after six weeks out with a knee injury. 

De Bruyne has spoken of his thoughts on the title race, most importantly, the reasons why he thinks rivals Liverpool have the potential to maintain their challenge for the title across the whole length of the season. 

Last season, City finished 19 points clear of Jurgen Klopp's side, but De Bruyne is convinced that there will be no such repeat of that at the end of this season. 

He told 'Sky Sports': "I don't know why they can't sustain it - I think they will go on to the end. I'm not too worried about them [because] they will do what they do and we'll have to try to win our games and go forward. They'll try to keep pace with us and vice versa."

The Belgian continued: "But it's still early. There's no pressure. We need to do what we do. You know how it goes. You can have a week where you lose three games and everyone speaks differently. There is still so long to go. The amount of games can trip you up, injuries can trip you up."

The two sides drew in their early encounter at Anfield in October, and with the return match at the Etihad just appearing on the horizon, it seems that the winner will land an all important blow in the battle for glory.

City suffered their first notable set back last week, when they fell to defeat against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. However they soon returned to winning ways, beating Hoffenheim 2-1 in the Champions League and then running out comfortable 3-1 winners over Everton on Saturday. 

Next up for Pep Guardiola's men is a trip to the midlands on Tuesday, when they face Leicester City in the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup.