Pep Guardiola’s comments after Manchester City’s match against Liverpool were revealing in many ways. In his post-match remarks, Guardiola described the performance of his team as a glimpse into the future. For many fans and analysts, this comment was more than just an optimistic statement about the next phase of Manchester City’s development.
It seemed to signal a major shift within the team, one that could bring an end to the careers of some of the club’s most established and long-serving players. This comment seemed particularly pointed when it came to Kevin De Bruyne, who had a difficult game in the 3-1 loss to Liverpool on February 23, 2025. The match may have been a crucial moment in the careers of both De Bruyne and some of the other veterans in the squad.
The match between Manchester City and Liverpool had a lot of significance. Liverpool was coming off a long stretch without winning the Premier League title, and this game appeared to be their chance to put a dent in City’s dominance. For the first time in years, Liverpool fans felt that the end of their trophy drought might finally be in sight.
This feeling was evident in the match as they mocked De Bruyne when he tried to stop a Liverpool attack late in the game. The fans knew that with City faltering and Liverpool putting together a strong run of form, the Premier League title was within their grasp again after so many years of chasing. The chants from the away fans reflected this sense of vindication, as they could finally see the light at the end of the tunnel.
For De Bruyne, the game didn’t go according to plan. He was far from his best and, in many ways, epitomized the struggles that have marked his season. Known for his incredible vision, passing range, and ability to dictate games, De Bruyne seemed to lack the sharpness and impact he once had on the field.
In this high-profile fixture, he spent a large portion of the match chasing after lost causes, trying to regain possession, or recovering from errors. There were moments when it felt like De Bruyne was trying too hard to make up for the things that weren’t working. At one point, he almost collided with Guardiola on the sideline as he raced to keep a ball in play. His frustration was visible, and it was clear that he was far from the player who had been so instrumental in City’s success in previous seasons.
This performance led to a significant moment in the match: Guardiola substituted De Bruyne in the second half. The timing of the substitution was telling. De Bruyne, once a central figure in City’s attack, was now becoming a player whose role in big games was diminishing. Guardiola’s decision to take him off came after De Bruyne had struggled to make an impact against Liverpool’s defense, which was organized and disciplined throughout the game.
This was not the first time this season that De Bruyne had been substituted early or even left out of important matches altogether. Guardiola had made similar decisions in previous games, particularly in high-stakes fixtures such as the Champions League tie against Paris Saint-Germain and the Premier League encounters with Arsenal and Newcastle. This decision to bring De Bruyne off in another crucial match was further evidence that Guardiola may be preparing for life without the Belgian playmaker.
If this was indeed the last time De Bruyne would play in a major Premier League fixture or, more specifically, in a City-Liverpool clash, it was not the farewell performance he would have hoped for. De Bruyne has been one of the finest players to ever play for Manchester City. His vision, passing ability, and leadership on the field have been key to many of the club’s successes, including their Premier League titles and their triumphs in domestic cups.
However, in recent months, his form has shown signs of decline. The issues were not just about his fitness or his individual performances but also about how his role in the team was evolving. Guardiola had been using him less frequently in key moments, and when he did play, De Bruyne often seemed to lack the spark that had once made him the standout player for City.
For De Bruyne, the situation was not dissimilar to that of Mohamed Salah at Liverpool. Salah, like De Bruyne, had been a talisman for his team, scoring crucial goals and providing moments of magic when his side needed them most. However, with both players out of contract in the summer, their futures were uncertain. Salah, like De Bruyne, had been inconsistent in recent months, and there was no guarantee that either player would sign new contracts with their respective clubs. Salah had been linked with a move away from Liverpool, just as De Bruyne had seen his name mentioned in transfer speculation.
The comparison between De Bruyne and Salah went beyond just their contracts. Both players are now in the twilight of their careers, and the reality is that both teams, Manchester City and Liverpool, are already looking to the future. This was especially clear in the case of Manchester City, where Guardiola had already started to integrate younger players into the squad. Players like James McAtee, who replaced De Bruyne in this match, are seen as part of the new generation that will carry City forward. McAtee had been impressive in his brief time on the field, showing a level of energy and creativity that seemed to provide the spark City needed as they mounted a late comeback against Liverpool. Guardiola’s decision to bring McAtee on instead of De Bruyne reflected his desire to move in a new direction and develop players who could be central to City’s future.
It was not just the substitution that made De Bruyne’s future at City uncertain. His overall contribution in the match against Liverpool was a microcosm of his season. De Bruyne was not playing with the same confidence or swagger that he had in previous years. His final touch of the first half was a half-volley that sailed well wide of the target, a moment that seemed to sum up his struggles in front of goal. De Bruyne’s lack of sharpness, his tendency to give away possession, and his inability to influence the game in the way that we have come to expect from him raised questions about his place in the squad moving forward.
Guardiola’s comments about the future of Manchester City were not just about the players who were currently shining. They also signaled the end of an era for some of the club’s most iconic players. De Bruyne’s struggles were just one part of the bigger picture. The match against Liverpool highlighted the shift that is happening at the club, where younger players are being given more opportunities to shine, and the veterans are being pushed aside. Guardiola has always been about evolution, about improving his squad and adapting to the changing demands of modern football. As much as De Bruyne had been a key figure in City’s rise to dominance, it seemed that Guardiola was now preparing for a future without him.
For Manchester City fans, the next few months would be crucial in determining how their team would evolve. The likes of De Bruyne, who had been central to their success, might soon be a thing of the past. This would be difficult for many fans to accept, as De Bruyne had been an integral part of the club’s journey to the top. However, Guardiola’s willingness to make tough decisions, even when it involves letting go of legends, shows his commitment to keeping City competitive for the long term.
The question now is whether De Bruyne will be part of that future or whether he will move on to a new challenge. If his time at Manchester City is coming to an end, then his final act in a City shirt could well have been this disappointing performance against Liverpool. For a player who had been so instrumental in City’s rise to the top, it would be a bittersweet way to say goodbye. However, as football fans know, the game moves quickly, and even the greatest players are not immune to the passage of time.
Ultimately, Guardiola’s comments about the future of Manchester City were a reminder that football is an ever-evolving sport. Teams must continually refresh their squads to remain competitive, and players who once seemed indispensable can quickly find themselves on the periphery. For De Bruyne, the future is uncertain. But whether he stays or leaves, his legacy at Manchester City will be hard to forget. His contributions to the club’s success will never be overshadowed by a single disappointing performance. However, as Guardiola looks to the future, De Bruyne’s role at City may be over, and the club will likely move forward without one of its most iconic players.
As for Liverpool, the match against City was a turning point. With their victory, they signaled that they were ready to reclaim their place at the top of English football. For City, the defeat marked a painful reminder that the club’s dominance was not guaranteed. As Guardiola continues to rebuild his team, it will be interesting to see how the squad evolves and whether the likes of De Bruyne, who had been so important to the club’s success, will be part of that journey or whether their time at Manchester City has come to an end.
