Emre Can Returns to Become the Main Man for Liverpool Again
At the October international break, Emre Can's place in the Liverpool starting lineup was unclear. The German had yet to start a Premier League game in 2016/17 and had seen Jordan Henderson, Adam Lallana and Georginio Wijnaldum establish themselves as manager Jurgen Klopp's midfield trio.
But since then, he has started all four league games for the Reds, scoring against Crystal Palace and Watford and returning to being the key player he was under Klopp last season.
An injury to Wijnaldum during that international break gave Can the opportunity he needed, and Jurgen Klopp opted for his compatriot in the match against Manchester United after October's international break.
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Can was a direct replacement for Wijnaldum in Klopp's midfield three, therefore operating in a slightly more advanced role than he typically had previously for the Reds.
Some supporters felt the 22-year-old struggled with the new position, failing to influence play and not providing the same attacking impetus Wijnaldum had previously offered. However, this was harsh on Can, who was perhaps being asked to play a more restrictive game—and he did produce the run that forced David De Gea into the best save of the game against Manchester United on Oct. 17.
United boss Jose Mourinho stated post-match that Liverpool had deployed Can alongside Henderson—in a two-one midfield triangle rather than a one-two—but this was incorrect. The German was more advanced than Henderson, which was the way the two lined up last season.
After that bore draw, Wijnaldum returned to full fitness, meaning Klopp's selection against West Bromwich Albion would be more telling.
It was Can who got the nod in midfield, with some rationalising that the German's height compared to Wjinaldum's—6'1" and 5'7" respectively—was a factor in his selection against a team so strong in the air.
Can's selection paid off, with a more involved performance, and his aerial presence certainly proved valuable. He was involved in nine aerial duels—only centre-back Dejan Lovren had more—winning seven, per Squawka.
The midfielder was showing signs of adjusting to his new role and added physicality in the Reds' midfield.
Speaking of his task, Can acknowledged the need for more goals and assists, having provided one goal and no assists in each of his two seasons at Anfield.
"I played last year as the No. 6," he said, per the Liverpool Echo. "Now I play as the No. 8 and can go a bit further forward. My target is to score more goals and give more assists."
His next two games, against Palace and Watford, saw him double his goals tally from last season, netting in each fixture as Liverpool moved to the top of the Premier League table going into the international break.
Not selected for his country for this round of internationals, Can remains at Liverpool's Melwood training base and will profit from a small break.
Klopp recently admitted to the press that he made a mistake when he initially took over by removing days off for players, explaining that he now gives players not involved in internationals time off over the break.
With the winter fixtures not far away, this gives players such as Can, compatriot Loris Karius, Dejan Lovren and Joel Matip—all not involved for their respective countries—much-needed rest.
Can's Role
With Liverpool's front three often playing narrowly—one minute, Roberto Firmino is central; the next, it's Sadio Mane, with Firmino dropping into a deeper central role—Liverpool's width against Watford was often provided by Can and Lallana. The two box-to-box midfielders in Klopp's system were the ones pressing the full-backs and exploiting the space made by the movement of the fluid front three.
Indeed, Can's goal against Watford saw him arriving at the back post, heading home a cross supplied by Lallana from the right flank.
Can's goal the week before, at Selhurst Park, again showcased the fluidity of Liverpool's attack. Philippe Coutinho picked up the ball from deep, in a position alongside Henderson, playing the ball beautifully over the defence for Alberto Moreno, who squared for Can—who was in a centre-forward position on the edge of the box as Coutinho first received the ball—to turn home from 12 yards.
These two goals showed how Can is adapting well to his new role, and he certainly looks like a first-choice player for Klopp again.
While his inclusion against West Brom was perhaps initially concluded as being due to West Brom's aerial threat, every team in the Premier League offers such physical presence. Can's involvement aids Liverpool.
Could Can then turn out to be more of a Michael Ballack type of player—a tall, athletic midfielder who arrives into the box to provide a big goal threat. There's potential for it, and at 22, there's plenty of time for Klopp to develop him into such a role.
Goals
That's not to say Wijnaldum will never get a game. The Dutchman's £25 million arrival from Newcastle United in the summer is yet another sign of the strength in depth Klopp has created in his squad.
Wijnaldum got his first goal for the Reds against Watford on his 12th appearance, following in Daniel Sturridge's rebounded shot.
During pre-season, the 26-year-old—who was Newcastle's top scorer last season, with 11 goals—spoke of wanting to score 10 goals in his debut season at Anfield, a target he says he always sets himself, per David Maddock of the Mirror: "I think a player with my quality has to at least get a minimum of 10 a season. That’s what I have always said."
But his role at Liverpool is, like Can's, different to the one he performed last season and means he's less likely to hit that 10-goal target.
What is healthy for the Reds—who have had 13 different goalscorers already this season—is both of them contributing goals from midfield this season.
Last season, Coutinho was the only midfielder—if he can be classed as that, as he's more of an attacker—to score more than five league goals for Liverpool. Lallana hit four, and both Joe Allen and Henderson got two. Such figures will be, on early evidence, annihilated this season.
New Contract
Neil Jones of the Liverpool Echo reported in the summer that Liverpool were set to open contract talks with Can's representatives, with the German's deal set to expire in just over 18 months.
Players typically begin talks at Can's stage, and Liverpool will be keen to get him tied down, something the player says is in the hands of his agent, Reza Fazeli.
"Yes, the club has spoken to my agent," Can said recently, per Goal. "The talks are going very well. I have one-and-a-half years left. I am still under contract, and it is my agent's work [to sort it out]. I am very happy here at Liverpool."
Can was, along with Nathaniel Clyne, Liverpool's most used player in terms of minutes played last season. He became the main man under Klopp, moving into his natural position in midfield, with all expectations that he would be integral this term.
He's becoming a key player again and will continue to be throughout this campaign. Hopefully it's only a matter of time before Liverpool announce that a deal has been agreed.
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