Emre Can, who started most games as a defender last season, has told Liverpool supporters that he wants to hit the ground running and start finding the back of the net this season.
“I’m always fully-motivated for every game, and the start of the season especially so,” he told Liverpoolfc.com, reported here in the Echo.
“I hope I can get the goal tally started quickly. We didn’t end the last season particularly well, and I think we owe it to the fans to make amends.
“This is why the first few matches are especially important. I think we can start to put [the Stoke result] right with a few good results.”
The barnstorming young German bagged just one goal last season, which came from a massively deflected strike against Chelsea – but in fairness – he was mainly charged with stopping goals rather than notching them.
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“I want to stay fit healthy and in form – that’s always the most important goal to set oneself,” he continued.
“I want to play as often as possible, and to have a good consistent season-long run of games.
“I’m certainly planning to score a few good goals!”
Can’s quotes go a long way in suggesting where he’ll play this season. Most of his starts came on the right of a back-three, and he did excellently last campaign in that position – but actually struggled in his more ‘natural’ midfield role.
But it’s in the centre where his future lies. His immense physicality and ability to drive with the ball at his feet means he has all the attributes to become a dominant Premier League central midfielder.
In his brief pre-season cameos he’s played centrally and done well, and with Steven Gerrard departing, it’s a position available for Can to make his own.
But we’re not expecting him to bag goals just yet, even if he is! The youngster will most likely play as an anchorman when deployed with James Milner and Jordan Henderson slightly advanced of him.