Guardiola Rejects Rift Rumors With De Bruyne

De Bruyne was only a late substitute as the champions lost 2-0 to Liverpool on Sunday; their fourth straight defeat in the top flight and sixth loss in seven games across all competitions.

Some English pundits, including Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville, insinuated after the game that Guardiola might have fallen out with De Bruyne, who has been restricted to just four Premier League starts this season because of injury.

"People say I’ve got a problem with Kevin," Guardiola said. 

"Do you think I like to not play with Kevin? I don’t want Kevin to play? The guy who has the most talent in the final third. I don’t want it? I have a personal problem with him after nine years together?

"He’s delivered to me the biggest success to this club. I’m desperate to have his best.

"But he’s been five months injured and two months injured. He’s 33 years old. He needs time to find his best."

"I’d love to have Kevin in his prime, at 26 or 27," added Guardiola. "He would love it too.

"But he is not 26 or 27 any more. He had injuries in the past, important and long ones, and he is a guy who needs to be physically fit for his space and energy.

"It’s normal, it’s nature. He played a lot of games for 10 or 11 seasons.

"I know he is desperate to help us, he gives glimpses of brilliance that only he can have."

De Bruyne, whose Man City contract expires at the end of this season, has won six Premier League titles and the Champions League during his time at the Etihad Stadium.