Breaking Down What the Return of David Silva Will Mean for Manchester City

When David Silva returns to full fitness, which could be just in time to play Liverpool at teatime on Saturday, Manchester City will be closer to their attacking best.

The Blues have been without Silva for their last seven matches, a period in which they’ve remained unbeaten and played some superb football.

But Manuel Pellegrini could be ready to welcome Silva back from the ankle injury he sustained in Spain’s game with Luxembourg in early October. The City boss told reporters before City’s last match with Aston Villa that the Spanish playmaker could well be available to face Jurgen Klopp’s side, with the current international break providing the perfect opportunity to prepare him for Premier League action once again.

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"He's working on his ankle, but it is not 100 percent fit,” Pellegrini said. “He tried last week to play a small sided game, but couldn't. I hope after these 15 days he will be OK."

It would be a significant boost to City’s chances of success against a Liverpool side still trying to adapt to Klopp’s high-intensity pressing style.

The Anfield club have shown signs of improvement, but their defeat to Crystal Palace in their last outing was perhaps a reminder that Klopp’s squad lacks the kind of quality he requires to make a push for the top four. City are expected to get three points and maintain their position as league leaders.

Silva is likely to make an immediate return to the No. 10 role he has so often excelled in. Wherever he starts, the former Valencia man tends to have a significant impact, but there’s little doubt his talents are best utilised in a central role just behind the striker.

In his absence, Yaya Toure, Kevin De Bruyne and Raheem Sterling have all operated in his favoured position. So what does Silva’s return mean?

Toure’s place in Pellegrini’s side has always felt secure, but with Fernando and Fernandinho in such good form in the two deeper midfield roles, Silva’s recovery puts his position under a degree of pressure.

But the Ivorian’s match-winning qualities and unique mix of attributes makes it almost impossible to leave him out when fit. Toure is an intelligent player, whose passing ability is often underrated, and Pellegrini is a huge fan of his ability. He would likely drop deeper, meaning one of the two in-form Brazilians would have to step out.

That would leave De Bruyne, Sterling and Jesus Navas fighting it out for the two wide positions in the three support roles behind the lone striker.

The obvious choice for many would be to drop Navas and play De Bruyne on the right, Sterling on the left and Silva through the centre, but that is perhaps not as clear-cut as some suggest.

Navas has been in superb form in recent weeks, and Pellegrini often favours him because of the defensive solidity he brings, as well as his pace in wide areas. The last month has seen him produce arguably his best football since arriving at the Etihad in the summer of 2013. 

De Bruyne, 24, has been superb since his summer move from Wolfsburg. The Belgian has six goals in 14 games for the Blues already and has impressed with his vision, touch and passing ability. 

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He is already looking forward to linking up with Silva again, telling the club's official website:

"

On the ball he is amazing.

He can do everything and dictate the tempo of a game from start to finish, so he’s a great player to have when you want to control of the game—I’d say that’s one of his best traits.

He has great vision, can find anyone with a pass and it is great to have him as a team-mate.

"

Sterling, 20, will be desperate to face his former club, and his performance against Seville, where he scored a superb goal and ran the La Liga side ragged down the left, will put him in a strong position for Saturday's match. 

Pellegrini has options, and some players will be unhappy if they miss out, but Silva is City's orchestrator of attacks and simply has to play if fit. 

Rob Pollard is Bleacher Report's lead Manchester City correspondent and will be following the club from a Manchester base throughout the 2015/16 season. All quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Follow him on Twitter @RobPollard_.