Haaland missed out in the comprehensive victory over the Reds at the Etihad and has not played since scoring back-to-back hat-tricks against RB Leipzig and Burnley before the international break.
Goals from Julian Alvarez, De Bruyne himself, Ilkay Gundogan and Jack Grealish earned the valuable three points as we hunt down Arsenal in the bid for our fifth Premier League title in six seasons.
Haaland has been a formidable force in sky blue since joining from Borussia Dortmund this summer.
De Bruyne is a big fan but insists that City can cope if Haaland is absent.
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He said: “Erling is an unbelievable player but we’ve been winning loads of games in the last eight years that I’ve been here.
“He’s an additional piece that helps us a lot, but we know if he’s not there we have Julian who is a World Cup winner.
“I don’t think it’s a bad replacement we have as a teammate – everybody knows their task and whoever is on the pitch will do the job.”
De Bruyne was happy with how Pep Guardiola’s men found their form so soon after the international break.
It can be difficult to regain momentum after so many players head out to play for their respective countries all around the globe.
But City were at it from the start in the 12:30 kick-off, with Guardiola calling the performance over the 90 minutes ‘almost perfect’.
He continued: “Obviously, it’s a big game coming back from the international break.
“Everybody has been away for so long and you don’t know what’s going to happen.
“I think we did really well, I know we conceded the first goal, but we dominated with and without the ball and deserved to win.”
De Bruyne now has his sight set on Arsenal, as we sit eight points behind but with a game in hand.
Belgium’s new captain insists that all City can do is ‘win as many games as possible’ as the race reaches its denouement.
He added: “Obviously, we know we are behind. We are still doing a really good job and are playing in three competitions.
“To be in this stage of the season and to be there means you’ve been consistent.
“In the league, Arsenal have been a little bit better than us but we can try and win as many games as possible and see where we end up.”
