The 2020-2021 Premier League season has commenced today, September 12, 2020, and all football fans across the world are looking forward to seeing how Liverpool football club would defend the 2019-2020 title they won two months ago.
Recall that Liverpool had the opportunity to win the Premier League for the first time in 30 years in the previous season three months after the coronavirus pandemic forced the league to a halt. They had Manchester City to contend with from the commencement of the season until 7 games to the end of the season.
At the end of the hard-fought battle, Liverpool won the league and ended the 2019-2020 Premier League season with 18 points more than second-placed Manchester City.
Since Liverpool successfully dethroned City that won the title back-to-back, 2017-2018 and then 2018-2019, the battle would now be against Jurgen Klopp and his boys, according to Kevin De Bruyne, Manchester City playmaker.
2020-2021 Premier League season: Kevin De Bruyne fears for Liverpool
Recall that when Manchester City tried to defend their 2017-2018 title, Liverpool was the major team that stood up against them from start to finish. At the end of the fierce battle, City won the 2018-2019 title with just a point more than Liverpool.
Pep Guardiola tried to do the same in the third consecutive season during the 2019-2020 title race but Liverpool proved too good to be overtaken by any team. Hence, Kevin De Bruyne said when Manchester City tried to defend their 2017-2018 title, it was harder than they expected and added that Liverpool could be able to defend their 2019-2020 title even if there are no changes in the team. But added that things would no longer be the same for Jurgen Klopp’s Premier League winning team.
“It was harder than we expected and we needed a very big fight with them (Liverpool) to get it done,” De Bruyne told the Daily Mail. “Mentally, sometimes it’s tougher. Some teams are a little more focused on beating you.
“Sometimes, some people find it more difficult after winning to get that same feeling again. It is very difficult to recreate the same feeling even with the same team.
“There is so much in life that goes on personally. Every little thing can change you. Injury can change you. Football is all about circumstances and it’s already difficult enough to try and win one, never mind twice.
“I think they [Liverpool] can reach the levels again. I don’t think you need to change the team to have the same feeling or ambition. But I don’t know how they feel. I don’t know their desire. For everyone, it is personal.”
Liverpool will start to defend their 2019-2020 title this evening, 5 pm UK time, when they host Leeds United. While Manchester City would have to wait for a week before they can commence their campaign.
Recall that City, Wolves, and Manchester United were given an extra one week break because they ended their continental engagements late.
In their first game of the season, Manchester City will visit Wolverhampton Wanderers on September 21.
