Manchester City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne admitted his rival for the Premier League player of the year award Mohamed Salah has surprised him with his stunning goalscoring form this season.
The two go head-to-head on Wednesday when Salah’s Liverpool host City at Anfield for the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final.
De Bruyne has been City’s key creative weapon on their march towards the Premier League title that could be sealed with victory over Manchester United on Saturday, also believing that defeating Liverpool at the Champions League could help bridge the gap possibly created already by goals.
But Salah’s total of 37 goals in 42 appearances this season threatens to deprive De Bruyne of individual honours to go with City’s trophy haul.
However, both were discarded by Chelsea earlier in their careers after failing to hold down a regular spot in the first team.
City manager Pep Guardiola, though, believes all that was lacking from Salah’s game before this season was a clinical touch in front of goal which he has found under Jurgen Klopp.
“The three in front, the way they play, they are so clinical,” added Guardiola. “They punish you in your mistakes because they are so fast, so direct and that’s a good challenge for us.”
With City just needing one win from their last seven league games and having already bagged the League Cup this season, Liverpool defender Andrew Robertson claimed Guardiola’s side are expected to deliver once more.
However, De Bruyne shrugged off the added pressure of being favourites.
0
0
0
