Jamie Carragher reckons Manchester City player Kevin de Bruyne looked like he had "something to prove" against Liverpool FC following a disastrous World Cup with the Belgium national team.
De Bruyne, 31, was a shining light as ever for City during their 3-2 win at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday night with Erling Haaland, Riyad Mahez and Nathan Ake scoring the goals. But there were, also, two trademark assists for that man De Bruyne as City rubber-stamped Carabao Cup progression.
It was business as usual for De Bruyne wearing blue. However, with Belgium humbled in Qatar where they failed to progress from Group F, the playmaker was criticised in some quarters for his underwhelming performances while he also drew negative feedback for suggesting his country were "too old" to compete for the trophy.
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He was, though, proved right in that assessment as Belgium jetted home early from the tournament.
Carragher said: "It felt like he had something to prove, and we're talking about one of the best midfield players to grace the Premier League. He had huge criticism on the back of the World Cup - maybe not here - but I imagine in Belgium with the press talking about his role even off the pitch, as well.
"When I'm watching these highlights, I'm not amazed by this. I'm amazed at what I watched in the World Cup."
Carragher added: "This is what Kevin de Bruyne does but, watching him in the World Cup, I couldn't believe what I was seeing as it wasn't him. For me he's been the best player in the Premier League for these last four or five years, that's where you'd put him.
"You'd put him alongside any of the other great midfield players to play in the Premier League. Everyone's fallible - and it didn't quite work for Belgium - but he was a long way short of his standards because his standards are world class on a weekly basis.
"We can't make excuses and say that was Belgium or Roberto Martinez's fault, this is one the best players in world football. I'm sure he will be looking at himself thinking he was nowhere near his standards, but he's put that to bed."
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