What Kevin De Bruyne did tells Liverpool exactly how Man City feel in the title race

It was at Selhurst Park eight years ago where Kopites' dreams were crushed.

At the full-time whistle, the players were on their haunches. Luis Suarez couldn't contain his tears and covered his face with his shirt.

Selhurst sombre

On the penultimate day of the 2013-14 season, Liverpool had blown their chances of winning a maiden Premier League title. Everyone inside the ground and watching from home knew it.

The Reds were three goals to the good after 55 minutes against Crystal Palace.

They were poised to regain a three-point lead over Manchester City, who still had two games remaining, and crank up the pressure ahead of the final day of the campaign.

But we all know what subsequently ensued. A capitulation in the final 11 minutes saw Brendan Rodgers' side somehow earn just a 3-3 draw.

The reaction of Suarez and Co told everything. The silverware had been surrendered.

For that reason, Selhurst Park will always be infamously etched into Anfield folklore.

The 7-0 victory in December 2020 did nothing to erase those memories of that gut-wrenching spring night in Croydon.

However, as the Reds and their modern-day rivals Man City do battle for the top-flight crown yet again, Palace have played another crucial role.

Only this time, it's in Liverpool's favour.

City were held to a goalless stalemate against Patrick Viera's side last night.

And it's given Jurgen Klopp's men a glaring chance to move within just a point of the leaders when they travel to Arsenal tomorrow.

City weren't at their swashbuckling best against Palace. They hit the woodwork twice, while Aymeric Laporte missed a glorious chance in the first half, yet toiled as the game wore on.

In truth, the pressure to find a breakthrough became palpable.

Incandescent De Bruyne

Kevin De Bruyne was one of few visiting players who effortlessly cut through a resilient Eagles outfit.

If City were going to score, it was going to be conjured by their talisman - and he knew it.

Around the 90th-minute mark, Rodri looked to get De Bruyne on the ball so he could wave his wand and engineer another chance.

However, the Spain international's pass was slack and possession was conceded . It was one of several that Rodri gave away on the evening.

As a result, De Bruyne saw the red mist. He was incandescent with rage and didn't try to hide his feelings.

De Bruyne gave Rodri both barrels. He wanted to make it abundantly clear that the pass was nowhere near good enough.

More importantly, De Bruyne was acutely aware of the ramifications dropping points would have on Pep Guardiola's side's ambitions.

It was a little more than a week ago when the Belgian gave his verdict on the title race - and knows there’s little margin for error.

"I'd say it looks similar for the moment," said De Bruyne. "Both teams have been doing so well, but we push each other. We're both great teams.

“We can lose games or they can, so I'm not necessarily watching out now for that (Man City vs Liverpool in April) game.

"It never stops does it? But it's good. We push each other to be the best version we can be. All we can do as a team and as individuals is try to win every game.

"Hopefully in the end we'll win it, but there's still a long way to go."

Profuse pressure

The latest battle to become Premier League champions will indeed go down to the wire.

As the season reaches a crescendo, the pressure has intensified profusely. Who can hold their nerve and make the fewest mistakes will ultimately claim one of the most coveted prizes in football.

Liverpool have now been handed what was once an unfathomable opportunity to move within a single point of Man City - having trailed by 12 points at one stage.

Slipping up against in-form Arsenal is now out of the question for the Reds.