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Kevin de Bruyne (left) has won six Premier League titles at Manchester City since joining the club in 2015 Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has dismissed talk of a rift with star midfielder Kevin de Bruyne and says he is "desperate" to have the Belgian back to his best. De Bruyne has only started four Premier League games in another campaign blighted by injury. However, he has featured for just 72 minutes across five substitute appearances since returning from an eight-week absence with an abdominal issue last month. There was just 12 minutes left at Anfield on Sunday when Guardiola introduced De Bruyne into the 2-0 defeat by Liverpool. De Bruyne still had the visitors’ best chance, when he was denied by Caoimhin Kelleher. In a discussion on Sky Sports after the game, pundits Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville both questioned Guardiola’s use of De Bruyne in a run of six defeats and a draw in seven matches. Carragher said: "Something is going on with De Bruyne. Something isn’t right between those two. " Neville agreed and said Guardiola’s treatment of the playmaker was "unusual, bizarre, strange". Guardiola did not mention the pair directly but, before the Premier League encounter with Nottingham Forest, said there was no issue with De Bruyne. "People say I’ve got a problem with Kevin, " he said. "Do you think I like to not play with Kevin? I don’t want Kevin to play? The guy who has the most talent in the final third. I don’t want it? I have a personal problem with him after nine years together? "He’s delivered to me the biggest success to this club. I’m desperate to have his best. "But he’s been five months injured and two months injured. He’s 33 years old. He needs time to find his best. " De Bruyne was out from August to the beginning of January last season after suffering a recurrence of a hamstring issue that forced him to be replaced in the first half of the 2023 Champions League final victory over Inter Milan. His contract expires next summer and De Bruyne has confirmed talks are yet to take place over an extension, as he prioritises his return to fitness. "I’d love to have Kevin in his prime, at 26 or 27, " said Guardiola. "He would love it too. "But he is not 26 or 27 any more. He had injuries in the past, important and long ones, and he is a guy who needs to be physically fit for his space and energy. "It’s normal, it’s nature. He played a lot of games for 10 or 11 seasons. "I know he is desperate to help us, he gives glimpses of brilliance that only he can have. " Smiling Van Nistelrooy brings belief back to Leicester Wales reach major women's tournament for first time Holders Leverkusen knock 10-man Bayern out of German Cup The greatest art works were born of war and bloodshed Drama documentary of artists Michelangelo, Leonardo and Raphael competing to craft beauty from chaos What would Mark Steel take to a desert island? The comedian and writer is Lauren Laverne's latest cast away Get ready for the last ever episode on Christmas Day Watch Gavin & Stacey's love story unfold right from the start on BBC i Player The first US magazine owned, run and written by women Ms. Magazine's co-founder, Gloria Steinem, recalls how the publication started in 1972 Football's lack of unity for rainbow gesture - what does it mean? Scotland's golden generation miss their golden hour Is Clinton pushing for England start at Euro 2025? Vote for BBC Sports Personality World Sport Star of the Year Van Dijk 'the best ever'? Rank great Premier League centre-backs Seven months to go - Farrell's Lions to-do list 'Liverpool are the real deal' - why it will be hard to stop them now 'Extraordinary' - the case for Aspinall to fight Jones in numbers Is Hamilton's form a concern for Ferrari? And does Russell deserve more credit? 'In 10 years you'll see a woman starting an F1 race' 'It's not fun' - what being 'Spursy' means to Tottenham fans 'Now I understand why Jose got angry' - Essien on life as a coach How 'excellent' Van Dijk kept Haaland & Man City quiet. Video How 'excellent' Van Dijk kept Haaland & Man City quiet From postman to world champion - the life of snooker great Griffiths How Liverpool mixed best of Klopp & Slot to beat Man City Bethell 'would have asked to bat number three' Guardiola jokingly responds to Anfield chants. Video Guardiola jokingly responds to Anfield chants Verstappen has 'lost all respect' for Russell How Man Utd 'punished' wasteful Everton. Video How Man Utd 'punished' wasteful Everton 'People want nothing to do with him': How Ireland turned away from Conor Mc Gregor © 2024 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.