How Emre Can Is Mirroring Gerard Pique to Fire Liverpool Forward

Liverpool's impeccable 2014-15 recovery, propelling them back into the mix for a UEFA Champions League spot and top-four finish, has been founded on two basic principles.

The first is renewed fluidity in attack, formed via a radical change in formation that took just one 90-minute spell at Old Trafford to set. The 3-4-2-1 system that Brendan Rodgers has put in place includes free-flowing movement, dual No. 10s to give opposing defences hell and dominant wing-backs that hold the width. It's controlling, dangerous and remarkably incisive.

The second, perhaps more unheralded factor is the impressive three-man defence, which gets the best out of two "system" holding midfielders (with limited roles) and spreads evenly to cover every zone, pocket and portion of territory in the defensive third. Mamadou Sakho has excelled in this formation as an outside centre-back and Martin Skrtel, playing centrally, is simply asked to barrel about in his typical, physical fashion.

It suits everybody down to the ground—even Lazar Markovic, who's playing completely out of position at right-wing-back on most occasions—so now all you need is someone to link it together.

Literally step forward, Emre Can.

Liverpool's struggles early in the season can be attributed to many things, but tactical rigidity and a reluctance among the players to break between the lines was key. Even Philippe Coutinho, the king of dribbling, looked muted and unwilling to try and spark something.

The win against Bournemouth in the Capital One Cup was the reinvention of Coutinho and the start of Markovic's Reds career, with the system allowing them to intertwine, interchange and still hold enough width to create chances. It created a monster.

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But no team can sustain success without balance, and not only does Can provide the level of steely defensive ability you honestly wouldn't expect even from a natural defensive midfielder, his surging forward with the ball at his feet has opened this team right up and allowed it to run on all cylinders.

Playing on the right side of a three-man defence, he's vulnerable, on paper, to being left isolated in the channels by a reckless wing-back. Ahead of the cup games against Chelsea many pointed to the obvious Eden Hazard vs. Can mismatch (should Markovic go walkies), but bar one early error (admittedly, the concession of a penalty), the German stood up superbly.

Credit: Sky Sports

His positional awareness, ability to close off space and his positivity when jumping in front of his marker allow him to control the right side and stifle attacks early. He even showed immense aerial aptitude against Aston Villa, besting Christian Benteke of all people on a consistent basis.

What sets him apart, truly, is his ability with the ball. Playing on the outside of the line he has a clear channel to run through, and he's quickly become Gerard Pique-esque in dancing forward to create attacks.

Credit: Sky Sports

A surging centre-back is often a player an opposing manager cannot account for if man-marking—as Athletic Bilbao found out in 2012 in the Copa del Rey final, and as Manchester United found out this weekend against West Ham United—and Can finds five free yards at the start of every run forward.

He has a midfielder's mobility to shuttle and dribble, retains a wonderful ability to pick a cross-field pass or a beautiful through ball, and can track and tackle should he lose possession.

Credit: BT Sport

Since Can's inception into the Liverpool XI at right-centre-back 12 games ago, the club have won nine and kept five clean sheets. The German has emerged as a key player in holding a refreshed, stingy defensive line together (though Sakho's excellence should not be discounted) and it's a solid base that allows Coutinho and Co. to express themselves.

Can moved into midfield against Tottenham Hotspur in the second half on Wednesday and excelled back in his old position, but doing many of the same positive, aggressive things. He's the sort of player who can propel a side forward; he's a graceful tank, built to endure yet also to delight the fans with highlight-reel moments.

The switch to 3-4-2-1, the reinvention of Coutinho and the integration of Can are the three major factors in Liverpool's turnaround; now, look for Daniel Sturridge to be the fourth, pivotal one that cracks the top four once again.

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