Emre Can

[The Birdman]

Are people having a pop at Can?!

Liverpool fans for you.
Some are genuinely clueless.

Not aimed at anyone on here at all, just a general opinion based on the embarrassment that is lfc fans on twitter

[Lee]

Liverpool fans for you.
Some are genuinely clueless.

Not aimed at anyone on here at all, just a general opinion based on the embarrassment that is lfc fans on twitter

Sarb's Twitter page is entertaining though.

[RichC]

Sarb's Twitter page is entertaining though.

Ahhhhh not laughed at that for a while

[redmike65]

Can starts for Germany U21s again but this time they are playing a 4-4-2 it seems. Can is central with Kimmich. Volland and Meyer the strikers.

[BigChief]

Interesting. At least they've got rid of the dreadful Hoffman. Andy Carroll wanabee (and succeeding a bee). Denmark are a really tough team and with Hoijberg in the middle will be interesting to see if Can really can play in midfield.

Can he kick it?

[Chris]

Beast!

[Resu]

Good assist by him. Nice ball on the counter.

[redmike65]

I said in the first game he needed to be played closer to the business end of the game and that's why. Lovely thrust!

[DannyMan2006]

20/21 year old in his first season in the premier league has average season shocker

I think he said Can was average when played in Midfield not over the whole season.

How many times did he actually start in midfield??

I cant think of him doing that on more than a handful of occasions one of which was Chelsea at home which he was one of our better players until he was bizarrely subbed

Most of the other times when he moved into midfield he looked half decent

Imo he only excelled when given regular game time at RCB. he looked tidy on the ball, but in midfield the game can move quicker and requires a different kind of positional sense.

He may well already be a midfield superstar in waiting and just needs regular games there, I accept that. But in the limited games he had he did nothing to stand out as being a top midfielder.

I'm not writing him off, far from it. I think he's got a bright future. But we desperately need him to step up now as we are short in midfield, which is more the point I was getting at.

Besides which, I only said I hope he kicks on, I didn't say he was rubbish

[DannyMan2006]

I said in the first game he needed to be played closer to the business end of the game and that's why. Lovely thrust!

Not watching th U21's as even Babel looked a star in that, but I think most agree the stand out feature of his play has been his composure and bursts forward - Yaya like I've seen mentioned numerous times.

I'm looking at our group of players under Rodgers and I've not got a clue how he expects to piece it altogether. My view point this summer was our most essential signings were a world class mobile front man and a top holding midfielder - a real beast to give us some physical presence in the team.

All I'm seeing is links to players like Benteke, Llorente, Bacca and Kovacic - exact opposite of what I'd be looking to sign.

[redmike65]

Also linked to Firmino who is very mobile (if not an out and out striker) and Bacca is mobile and tenacious.

Sadly Rodgers will never buy a proper DM, if Lucas were not already at the club he'd never be bought.

[DannyMan2006]

Also linked to Firmino who is very mobile (if not an out and out striker) and Bacca is mobile and tenacious.

Sadly Rodgers will never buy a proper DM, if Lucas were not already at the club he'd never be bought.

I think the idea in principle is for the team to work together as one unit to chase and harass the opposition to win the ball back, and have progressive players in midfield who can keep possession and start quick counters.

But..... Even the Barca teams who embrace all that have Busquetts in midfield in a holding role. It's daft really as a solid DM who is a proper physical presence would make so many of our players look better than what they have been doing.

[Pablo]

He's our Steven Gerrard replacement isn't he? Not any of the new signings, it's him.

Not entirely sure he's ready positionally to play CM yet, but it feels like we have to go for broke with it. His form this season could make or break us.

[Phoenix07]

I don't think there's a specific player set to be Gerrard's replacement. Essentially, I reckon the three from Can, Henderson and Milner will rotate the deep-lying playmaker, box-to-box, and advanced midfield positions during the game. It will require a lot of tactical work and concentration, but I think all three can pull it off. It will also provide in-game options, allowing us to mix things without needing to make substitutions.

[The Birdman]

He's our Steven Gerrard replacement isn't he? Not any of the new signings, it's him.

Not entirely sure he's ready positionally to play CM yet, but it feels like we have to go for broke with it. His form this season could make or break us.

Genuine question around this Can can replace Gerrard statements that have come out from the German U21 boss.
Which Gerrard is he replacing?
The box to box all action Gerrard of his pomp
or
The deep lying playmaker in the midfield diamond?

If it's the latter then Rodgers would have added defensive strength and power, range of passing and more mobility without buying a dedicated defensive midfielder.