De Bruyne 'much better' but faces late fitness test for Liverpool clash

Kevin De Bruyne is nearing full fitness after another injury setback, and will be assessed on Thursday to determine his availability for Manchester City's match against Liverpool later in the day.

"We need to do another check in the morning, but he is much better," City manager Pep Guardiola said in Wednesday's press conference, according to Goal's Sam Lee.

Manchester City have been hit with several injuries to key first-team players this season, but arguably none have been more damaging to their ambitions than those suffered by De Bruyne. The Belgian playmaker's only started one Premier League match in the 2018-19 term due to ligament issues and recently, a muscle problem.

De Bruyne last featured against Leicester City on Boxing Day, when he managed 70 minutes before being with withdrawn in a 2-1 defeat. He scored off the bench in Manchester City's previous outing, but that was only a late consolation in a shock 3-2 home loss to Crystal Palace.

City responded to those defeats with a 3-1 win at Southampton on Sunday, where Guardiola picked David Silva and Bernardo Silva as his two No. 8s in De Bruyne's stead.

"Everybody who loves football must love Kevin De Bruyne," Liverpool handler Jurgen Klopp responded when told the midfielder may be available for Thursday's match, as quoted by Joe's Melissa Reddy.

Three points are crucial to City's hopes of retaining their Premier League crown. Following a disappointing festive period, the Cottonopolis club is seven points adrift of league-leading Liverpool and one point short of second-placed Tottenham Hotspur.