KDB: GAP IS NO CONCERN

by a 3-2 defeat at Norwich City on Saturday evening, hours after the Reds had rolled out their 14th consecutive Premier League win to open up their lead at the top of the table.

But as recently as January 3, when Liverpool (manager Jurgen Klopp, above) travelled to the Etihad for what would become their only defeat of the season, they had an even bigger advantage. City still caught them before the finishing line though.

“Last season, we were seven points behind – it happens,” shrugged De Bruyne. “Of course, we want to win every game, but it is difficult.

“You have to respect the other team and when they do well. It will be tough, the next seven months, like last year. It never stops. It is our job and sometimes it is hard, but you have to take it on the chin.

“We lost four games out of 38 last season and that is a good record. We can still win this season, with the same points at the end of this season.”

It is all a far cry from when City romped to the title in 2017-18 with

100 points and even more goals.

“It happened once, but you don’t need to win by 15 points, as it is the Premier League,” added De Bruyne. “It is so tough and you just want to finish first. It does not matter how you do it.”

And team-mate Rodri has told Watford to expect no mercy when City resume their domestic programme following the Champions League trip to Shakhtar Donetsk.

“Normally, when you get these matches, in the next one you kill the opponents,” he said.

“So that’s what we’re going to do. Pep told us this team is not allowed to lose two – we have to win.”