Reigning champions and league leaders City will play host to the second placed Anfield side for one of the most eagerly anticipated league fixtures in many years.
With just eight games of the season to go, Pep Guardiola’s side are one point ahead of Jurgen Klopp’s side, with many observers believing Sunday’s encounter could go a long way to deciding this year’s title race.
For his part, City midfield inspiration De Bruyne acknowledges the importance of Sunday’s game – but also believes it will be a match to both savour and enjoy.
“It is really big,” De Bruyne declared as he looked ahead to Sunday’s Liverpool showdown.
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“I think everybody is looking forward to it. I think the players will take it as a privilege to play these games.
“As a player you want to win games and trophies and if you want to do that then you need to win these big games.
“But if you win, draw or lose, there is still a lot to play for.
“We are going to try and play a good game and then we will see.
“That is the mentality, we want to win all three [trophies].
“It is going to be very hard, we have done good things before but their quality is good also so we will respect that and work hard.”
City will go into the key Liverpool clash buoyed by Tuesday’s fine 1-0 Champions League quarter-final first leg win at home to Atletico Madrid.
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De Bruyne’s superb 70th minute strike proved decisive against the compact, well-drilled Spanish champions in what was a compelling encounter at the Etihad.
And armed with that crucial advantage, the Belgian midfielder believes City can go into next Wednesday’ second leg decider in Madrid armed with great confidence.
“I think we can get a good result (in Madrid),” De Bruyne declared.
“Obviously, it is very tough, and they have a lot of quality when they play.
“We can only control today what we had to do. We controlled them well, they have good attacking players, but they didn’t shoot at the goal from what I can remember.
“In that aspect, the team did well.
“It is a good result, we have a one goal advantage, but 90 minutes or 120 minutes is still a long time.
“Now we have to recover and get ready for Sunday.”
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