Man City’s Kevin De Bruyne has put World Cup disappointment ‘to bed’ with stunning display against Liverpool – Carragher

Jamie Carragher believes that Kevin De Bruyne has put his disappointing performances at the World Cup ‘to bed’ with a fine performance for Manchester City against Liverpool in the Carabao Cup.

De Bruyne was part of a Belgium team which suffered a shock group stage exit in Qatar, winning just one of their three games, with manager Roberto Martinez stepping down immediately after losing to Morocco.

“For me, he’s been the best player in the Premier League for the last four or five years,” Carragher told Sky Sports.

“You’d put him alongside any midfield player who has ever played in the Premier League.

“But listen, everyone’s fallible, it didn’t quite work [at the World Cup]. Belgium weren’t the best, but he was a long way short of his standards because his standards are world class on a weekly basis.

“It doesn’t matter what player you’re talking about, I would say 99% of every player plays better for the club than you do at international [level].

“He was just short of where he needs to be. And we can’t make excuses, by the way. To say ‘that was Belgium’s fault or Roberto Martinez’s fault’. This is one of the best players in world football. I’m sure he will be looking at himself and thinking: ‘I was nowhere near my standard’.

“But he’s put that to bed.”

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen a player with a right foot in that position and the one that comes to mind is Steven Gerrard or [David] Beckham, maybe, but he produces every single time, on the money.”