Kevin De Bruyne could miss Manchester City's vital clash with Liverpool

Manchester City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne [Courtesy]

Kevin De Bruyne is facing a fight to be fit for Manchester City's title showdown with runaway Premier League leaders Liverpool on Thursday night.

The Belgian midfielder will miss City's trip to Southampton on Sunday after suffering what a source close to the player has described as “a slight knock.”

De Bruyne has also been complaining of muscle soreness following his return from a six-week absence with a knee injury.

He has featured in City's last four games – two as a substitute – but lasted just 70 minutes as Pep Guardiola's men were beaten 2-1 at Leicester on Boxing Day.

City are being careful with De Bruyne's return to fitness after two long injury lay-offs with knee injuries already this season.

He suffered ligament damage in training in August and missed two months.

De Bruyne is facing a fight to be fit for Manchester City's title showdown with runaway Premier League leaders Liverpool on Thursday night [Courtesy]

His first start on his return ended with him injuring his other knee in a Carabao Cup tie against Fulham.

It means De Bruyne has made just nine appearances this season.

He has suffered physically since returning to action and does not expect to be 100 per cent fit for another month.

But it will be a huge blow if he is ruled out of the clash with Liverpool after Jurgen Klopp's men moved nine points clear at the top of the Premier League by hammering Arsenal 5-1 last night (SATURDAY).

City can reduce the deficit to seven points by winning at St Mary's.

But they must do it without De Bruyne and fellow midfielder Ilkay Gundogan.

Fernandinho did train before Guardiola and his squad departed for the south coast, but the Brazilian has missed successive defeats against Crystal Palace and Leicester with a thigh problem.