Kevin De Bruyne & Pep Guardiola 'rift' at Man City? 'Strange' reduced role for star midfielder questioned amid Premier League champions' miserable winless run

Belgian playmaker De Bruyne is a Premier League legend, with six league titles and a couple of PFA Player of the Year awards to his name. He is, however, now 33 years of age, into the final 12 months of his contract at the Etihad Stadium and picking up injuries on a more regular basis.

That has led to his game time being limited this season, as long-running hamstring issues are managed, but questions are being asked of why De Bruyne finds himself on the bench when fully fit – with that proving to be the case once again for a crucial clash with Liverpool at Anfield last time out.

After seeing City suffer a costly 2-0 defeat in that contest, with De Bruyne being introduced 12 minutes from the end, Gary Neville has told his official podcast of a confusing situation: “The De Bruyne thing is unusual, bizarre, strange. Why is probably the best player the Premier League has had in the last 10 years not out there? We know he's had injuries but why is he not out there because he's a leader, he's got authority, he's confidence and brilliance so something is definitely going on in the dressing room.

“There's something happening but Guardiola has got complete [control] of the club, he's extended his contract and he's probably just waiting for the January and [summer] transfer windows. He has built two sensational football teams while he's been at the club and he's going to have to go and build a third.”

That view is shared by fellow pundit and former Premier League defender Jamie Carragher, with the Liverpool icon telling Sky Sports: "Something is going on with De Bruyne. For me, he has been the best player in the for the last five seasons. He isn't starting games and doesn't come on at half time.

"I am not trying to cause more trouble for Manchester City but something isn't right between those two. It is sad because we are talking about one of the greatest managers, and greatest players in the Premier League. His contract is up this summer and I know he has had a few problems but something isn't right if he isn't in the team when he is fit."

Former Manchester City defender Micah Richards also weighed in on the situation, telling the The Rest is Football podcast: "This goes back to before the international break where he got some minutes but after the break he didn't start and then he hasn't started again but he's the one that can unlock a door. We know that with De Bruyne you've got to wrap him in cotton wool, especially in previous seasons, but in a big game like this - but even just the talks and potentially going to Saudi Arabia at the end of the year, it looks like there's some sort of rift going on between them."

De Bruyne will reach 10 years of loyal service at City in 2025, with close to 400 appearances being made for the Blues. He has helped them to 16 trophies during an era of remarkable success, but is seeing a move to the Saudi Pro League speculated on as his terms in Manchester run down.