Saturday 8 April 2017 00:18, UK
Emre Can says Liverpool have everything in their hands to make the top four and discusses how he has changed since arriving at Anfield three years ago.
The Reds are currently in third place and six points clear of fifth spot with seven Premier League matches remaining.
Jurgen Klopp's men are unbeaten in their last five league matches, but have been criticised for their performances against clubs lower in the table compared to a good record against teams around them, with Can believing Liverpool have control over their final position.
"I think everybody knows how good we are but we have to show it more often and we have to show it in every game, every week and unfortunately, we couldn't do that this season," he told Soccer Saturday.
"But now we have seven games to go and I think everything is still in our hands. We want to play in the Champions League next season and nothing is over. Saturday is the first step.
"I would say we've had ups and downs [this season]. I think we could do it better but on the other side, we have made an improvement against the top teams, but the most important thing for us is that we prove it in every game.
"That's a good question, I don't think anyone knows [why Liverpool haven't performed as well against lower league opposition]. You have to go into every game with the same mentality and maybe we didn't do that, I don't know.
"Maybe we didn't do those two or three extra steps and that's why we didn't win those games but like games against Bournemouth. We could've won that game, it was in our hands and then we conceded a goal when we could have cleared the ball three or four times before."
Can has been in and out of the Liverpool side this season with injuries playing their part, but the 23-year-old feels like he is back to full strength and has grown from a boy to a man since signing in June 2014.
"For me, this season was a little bit difficult but the last few weeks, I feel better and I think you can see that on the pitch," he added.
"I have struggled with a few injuries, I had calf problems that was a little bit more than everybody thought but I continue to play and as long as the manager wants me to, I want to as well. I am feeling very well. I'm at the top of my fitness in the games and I feel strong again.
"I was a teenager when I got to Liverpool and now, I am growing into a man. Of course, I had to change my style of football because here in England, you are playing more physically, everything is quicker here and I had to learn that.
"I think I did just well, I know I have a lot of improvements I can make but I would say I am happy with the three years."
Next up for Liverpool is a Premier League trip to Stoke on Saturday, with Can hoping that the Reds can get back to winning ways.
"It's never easy to play at Stoke. It will be a very tough game and I think we have to be at our best and have to give our best to try and win the game," he said.
Catch the full interview with Can on Soccer Saturday from 12pm and follow Stoke v Liverpool with Jeff Stelling and the panel from 3pm.
