Man City are about to get the same impact as a January signing without spending a penny

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said the whole country is 'starting to shake' when discussing Kevin De Bruyne's imminent return from injury, such is the Belgian's importance to Manchester City.

De Bruyne only needed to jog out to warm up against Sheffield United at the weekend to raise the roof at the Etihad, even if he didn't come off the bench on his first appearance in a matchday squad in 141 days. Pep Guardiola said he wanted to give De Bruyne the feeling, and the 'smell' of a matchday dressing room once again.

With Huddersfield of the Championship up next for City in the FA Cup, it feels like an ideal fixture to ease De Bruyne back into action in a game that shouldn't pose City many problems. After that, De Bruyne can ramp up his match-fitness going into February, and then Klopp will really see the rest of the Premier League 'shake'.

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Closer to home, De Bruyne's return could shake up the City squad, and it's fair to say his impact could be akin to a marquee signing in the January transfer window - without spending a penny.

De Bruyne has the experience of leading City's title charge, and he will likely take the captain's armband when he is back. He gives City a level of vision and drive from midfield that they lack, and as Klopp highlighted, strikes fear into the Blues' title rivals. The Belgian can also bring out the best of at least six of his teammates.

De Bruyne's relationship with Erling Haaland will see the striker get better service, with accurate through-balls and eye-of-the-needle crosses. Haaland has 19 goals