Kevin De Bruyne gave fast reply to Liverpool switch query after making admission
Kevin De Bruyne has announced that he will be leaving Manchester City at the end of the season, with the Belgian midfielder admitting that he supported Liverpool growing up
Kevin De Bruyne once confessed he was a Liverpool fan as a child. The Belgian star is now set to leave Manchester City after a trophy-laden decade that saw him become a legend at the Etihad.
The midfielder has won an impressive 16 trophies since his move to City from Wolfsburg in 2015. His collection boasts six Premier League crowns, a Champions League victory, a pair of FA Cups, five Carabao Cups, and three Community Shields.
However, the player has never shied away from expressing his admiration for Liverpool, as he revealed to Match of the Day magazine in 2019 that his favourite player was ex-Reds forward Michael Owen.
“I was a Liverpool fan,” De Bruyne said. “My family that live in England were all Liverpool supporters so I was, too. I loved Michael Owen, because I was really small like him and quick, too. I compared myself to him at the time. I liked [Zinedine] Zidane and Ronaldinho too – those really skilful players.”
During an international break in 2023, De Bruyne was quizzed about his love for Liverpool in a video posted by Football Escapes. The City star reaffirmed his early affection for the Reds, stating: “When I was young? Liverpool.”
When pushed to answer whether he would ever sign for Liverpool, he quickly dismissed such an idea.
While Liverpool fans may have a slight hankering for what could have been, had De Bruyne opted for a red shirt instead of a sky blue one, it appears there was only ever one club for the star once he made the move to the blue half of Manchester, reports the Mirror.
The 33-year-old took to social media to announce his departure from Manchester on Friday, writing: “Dear Manchester, Seeing this, you probably realise where this is heading. So I’ll get straight to it and let you all know that these will be my final months as a Manchester City player.
“Nothing about this is easy to write, but as football players, we all know this day eventually comes. That day is here- and you deserve to hear it from me first.
“Football led me to all of you – and to this city. Chasing my dream, not knowing this period would change my life. This city. This club. These people… gave me EVERYTHING. I had no choice but to give EVERYTHING back! And guess what we won EVERYTHING.
“Whether we like it or not, it’s time to say goodbye. Suri, Rome, Mason, Michele, and I are beyond grateful for what this place has meant to our family. ‘Manchester’ will forever be on our kids’ passports- and more importantly, in each of our hearts. This will always be our HOME.
“We cannot thank the city, club, staff, teammates, friends, and family enough for this 10-year ride. Every story comes to an end, but this has definitely been the best chapter. Let’s enjoy these last moments together! Much love, KDB.”
There’s been a whirlwind of gossip about De Bruyne’s next move, with whispers of a switch to Saudi Arabia or the States, but nothing solid has emerged yet.
As the midfield maestro bids farewell as a City legend, with 413 appearances, 106 goals and 118 assists under his belt, Pep Guardiola has confessed that De Bruyne’s departure will take a chunk of the club’s soul with him.
“A sad day but a happy day for the fact that I had the pleasure personally to live this time with him,” the City boss said.
“What he gave us, all of us, with his humanity and his influence in our success in the last decade. Of course, part of us is leaving. When Vincent [Kompany] or Sergio [Aguero] or David [Silva] left, these players have contributions.
“He’s one of the greatest in this country. Always I have to be careful for the respect for the players that have played incredible roles, but there’s no doubt he’s one of the greatest for sure. The doors are open here for the rest of his life. He’s part of this family, this club.”
