Brendan Rodgers has praised the versatility of German U21 international Emre Can. Speaking in his pre-match press conference he highlighted Can’s performance in the recent trip to the Stadium of Light, where Liverpool came away with a 1-0 victory courtesy of a goal by Lazar Markovic.
Having begun the game on the right side of the back 3, Can was moved to a more advanced role due to Steven Gerrard being brought off at half time because of a slight thigh strain. Later he was moved again to a wide midfield role. His class and quality as a footballer were on full display. You can’t name that many footballers who can play 3 different positions in a match and remain diligent in all their duties without putting a foot wrong.
Rodgers explained: “That’s one of the reasons we brought him here – he’s a footballer and sometimes you find that the very best footballers, you can play them in any position on the field.”
“They are capable of working the game out and tactically participating in the game. He was always just going to need a little bit of time, moving from a new country and a very young player.”
“He’s shown his value and there’s absolutely no doubt that over the coming years he’ll prove to be a real bargain for us.”
“He’s a wonderful footballer; two-footed, got great balance and good aggression in his game. He’s multi-functional – he will prove to be a player that can play in a number of positions very well here. As you have seen since he has come in, he has been outstanding.“
Emre Can has often been used in many roles by his previous employers, most notably during his time at Bayer Leverkusen where the then manager, Liverpool legend Sami Hyppia, deployed him as a left back on many occasions.
Speaking to the club website, the new no.23 reflected on his ever changing role in his career thus far: “It has always been the case that I have played in different positions.”
“It’s an advantage for the team to have a player like that and it’s an advantage for me personally as well. If I am needed in central defence, that is where I will play.”
Emre Can’s performances haven’t gone unnoticed within Germany either. Fellow German and former Liverpool midfielder Dietmar Hamann has predicted a call up to the international team.
“There is big competition in Germany at the moment, especially in midfield,” Hamann, who helped his country reach the 2002 World Cup final, told the official club website.
“[Bastian] Schweinsteiger is still around, you have got [Sami] Khedira, the Bender brothers. So in that position there are a number of players. There is huge competition.”
“But he is a young lad and if he plays well for Liverpool, if he puts in the performances week in, week out that he is at the moment then I’m sure it won’t be long before the manager gives him a call.”
“I’m pretty sure, if he develops the way he has over the last two years and keeps doing that, sooner rather than later we’ll see him in a national team shirt. He’s a player that is needed in every team.”
“He is physically strong, a good passer and technically gifted. Once one or two of the older players in the German team retire, I’m sure his time will come and we’ll see him in a German shirt.“
Comments.
Loading comments…