Yes he Can! Emre fires rocket
Print Edition
WITH his acrobatic swivel and overhead shot, Emre Can not only scored one the English Premier League’s goals of the season to secure Liverpool’s 1-0 win at Watford on Monday but may have settled the long-standing argument about his best position.
Ever since signing for the Merseyside club in a 10-million pound (US$12.91 million) deal from Bayer Leverkusen in 2014, Liverpool has used the ever amenable Can like a handy spare part to fill whatever slot became free.
Previous manager Brendan Rodgers played him as a makeshift right back and center back in a three-man defense, with varying success, while Juergen Klopp has shifted him about in midfield as injuries to Jordan Henderson, Philippe Coutinho and Adam Lallana kept Can moving around the team as well as the pitch.
Can’s failure to secure a definite role partly explains the speculation of a possible move away from Anfield at the end of the season when his contract enters its final year.
Several months of negotiation have yet to lead to a new deal with British media reporting he wants 100,000 pounds a week.
Can’s future is as much about position as money.
The 23-year-old favors a holding midfield role normally occupied by Henderson, but the German star has faced criticism this season from Liverpool fans unimpressed by his attempts to deputize when the England midfielder was injured.
Despite his strapping 184-cm physique, Can has been accused of squandering possession too easily and often choosing the wrong passing option.
But on Monday Can got it right, responding to a more forward role with a piece of individual brilliance that might just secure Liverpool UEFA Champions League qualification.
What made his 45th-minute strike even more impressive was his run into the box to encourage Lucas to flight the cross. When the ball arrived, Can, who said he thought about heading it, readjusted his body before throwing his left foot high in the air to allow him to meet the ball with his right.
Watford ‘keeper Heurelho Gomes did not move as it fizzed past him into the net. Lallana, standing just behind Can, described it as a “worldie” while TV programs and newspapers debated whether to call it the goal of the season, or decade.
On scoring, Can rushed to the touchline to celebrate with compatriot Klopp, who revealed the midfielder has played this season despite not always been fully fit after suffering a persistent calf injury, caused in part by the amount of sprinting he does in a more advanced role.
“He is a good boy. He deserves this,” said Klopp. “I know how this world works. He had the problem with his calf but it wasn’t possible for us to leave him out.”
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