Jurgen Klopp insists anyone thinking Kevin De Bruyne's injury levels the playing field in the Premier League is an "a**hole", reports Sky Sports.

Manchester City's star man last season is out for three months with a knee injury, with Liverpool the bookies' tip to provide the biggest challenge to Pep Guardiola's side.

When asked if the injury evens the playing field, Klopp told Sky Sports: "I think somebody who thinks like that, about a situation like that, is an a**hole, to be honest. I am not like that. First of all, I wish him the absolute very best.

"I love this player, I wanted him desperately when I was at Dortmund and he was at Chelsea, but Jose didn't give him to me!

"What a season he had, what a World Cup he played. I really feel for him. They have options of course, like they always have options, they brought in Riyad Mahrez, but they can all play in different positions.

"Bernardo Silva can play a bit deeper, Foden can play in positions, Gundogan can play in positions.

"Nobody needs to worry about Man City and their quality, there is still a lot there. We don't look at the other teams, we really only try to make the best of our situation, and that will hopefully work."