Liverpool midfielder Emre Can ready to 'start from zero' to earn place
Wednesday 21 September 2016 23:43, UK
Emre Can says he will be patient in his attempts to win his place back in Liverpool's starting line-up despite being fit again.
The Germany international was a regular under Jurgen Klopp last season, but made only his third appearance of the campaign in Liverpool's 3-0 win over Derby in the EFL Cup on Tuesday night.
An ankle injury has seen the likes of Adam Lallana, Jordan Henderson and Georginio Wijnaldum move ahead of Can in the pecking order as Klopp's side have enjoyed a strong start to the new campaign, but the 22-year-old is prepared to start from scratch to force his way back into the team.
"They have done it very well," Can said in reference to the first-choice midfield trio. "Adam, Hendo and Gini have played well together and you can see by the results and the good football - I saw it as well myself as I play with them in the team and I was very happy for them.
"Every player has to start from zero and myself as well. Now I am fit, if I get game-time I want to show myself again and also in training.
"We bought very good players and everyone is nearly fit and we have a strong squad.
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"If you saw the last few games, we were very strong and we have to keep it up. If you play with good players, the levels go up - it is normal.
"It's not easy but I have to be patient. I try to train hard and if I get game-time then I try to play well and then we will see what happens."
Can, who can also play in defence, was one of seven changes to the Liverpool side as Klopp rested a number of the players who beat Chelsea 2-1 at Stamford Bridge last Friday.
Ragnar Klavan returned to the team to give Dejan Lovren a break and scored his first goal for the club at the iPro Stadium. The 30-year-old was quick to praise fellow summer signing Loris Karius, who also came into the side in place of Simon Mignolet.
"I knew it already in Bundesliga, he was a really good keeper and was quick to come out," said the Estonian, a former centre-back with German club Augsburg.
"We are moving forward as a whole team and as a last line we have to be higher and it is nice when you have a keeper who is able to come out.
"I can only say what he was in the Bundesliga and what I have seen in training. He is good with his feet, he is quick coming out and he is not afraid to come out for high balls and everything so in my eyes he is a really good keeper. I can hear him (talking to players)."
Liverpool will return to Premier League action when they welcome Hull City to Anfield on Saturday.
