Pep Guardiola lashes out at Gary Neville and Gary Lineker with Man City boss 'desperate'

Pep Guardiola has vigorously defended his relationship with Kevin De Bruyne, rejecting claims from Gary Lineker and Sky Sports pundits Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher that there was a rift after the Belgian's benching in the 2-0 defeat. 0 from Manchester City to Liverpool.

Neville called the situation “bizarre and strange”, while Carragher hinted at underlying issues, but Guardiola retorted: “People say I have a problem with Kevin. Do you think I like not play with Kevin? That I don't want Kevin to play?

“The guy with the most talent in the final third? I don't want him? That I have a personal problem with him after nine years together?”

In the latest episode of The Rest Is Football podcast, Lineker said: “De Bruyne came back shortly after the match ended. Yes, he almost scored a goal because of [Virgil] van Dijk, but is there something going on there, in your opinion? Because he's been coming for five or ten minutes, what, about a month now?

“You would imagine he's getting fit again, although I've seen them both – Pep Guardiola and De Bruyne – make some interesting statements during the week, where it seems like all is not well between these two -there? I don't know. I don't have any inside information though… Micah (Richards)?

Guardiola explained De Bruyne's limited playing time, noting: “He brought me the biggest success at this club. But he has been injured for five months and two months. He is 33 years old. He needs time to find the best of himself, like last season, step by step He will try to do it and feel better.

“I would love to have Kevin in his prime, at 26 or 27. He would love that too. But he's not 26 or 27 anymore. He's had injuries in the past, big and long. He's a guy who needs to be physically fit for his space and his energy.

“But you think I'm complaining? It's normal, it's nature. He's played a lot of games in 10 or 11 seasons. I know he's desperate to help us and he gives insight into genius that only he can have.

“But as I always said, he alone will not solve our problems. Just like Erling Haaland will not solve it himself. We attack and defend together. We want the best players to come back. Hopefully, step by step, confidence returns and we will get the best out of all of us.

“I'm desperate to do his best. I desperately need five goals and assists from Phil Foden after last season. Five for Kevin, goals and assists from Jeremy, goals and assists from Jack (Grealish), Savinho or Ilkay Gundogan.

“Not 20, 30 or 40. Just five goals and assists from these players and then we would be top of the league. Why didn't that happen? They weren't there. They were injured. They didn't weren't ready. is the biggest problem I have.”