Emre prepared to 'start from zero' in battle for places
Emre Can accepts that he is 'starting from zero' as he seeks to reclaim a place in Liverpool's midfield after returning from injury.
Having joined up with his teammates later in the pre-season schedule due to his participation at Euro 2016 with Germany, the No.23 then suffered an injury in the EFL Cup clash with Burton Albion in August.
A four-week lay-off followed before Can took to the turf again as a substitute in the same competition as the Reds cruised past Derby County 3-0 on Tuesday night.
In his absence, the trio of Jordan Henderson, Georginio Wijnaldum and Adam Lallana have impressed as a midfield combination – with eye-catching wins over Arsenal, Leicester City and Chelsea achieved.
And that is why Can, one of the side’s stand-out performers during 2015-16, knows there is no guarantee he will be immediately restored to Jürgen Klopp’s line-up.
Nevertheless, it is a situation he is ready to tackle.
“We bought very good players and everyone is nearly fit and we have a strong squad,” the 22-year-old commented.
“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.
“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.
“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.”
He added: “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.”
The victory over Derby was Liverpool’s third in a row in all competitions, coming on the back of the morale-boosting Premier League successes against Leicester and Chelsea.
Next up is a return to Anfield for the visit of Hull City and Can insists the focus is firmly on maintaining momentum rather than any thought of avoiding a slip-up such as that at Burnley.
“We want to keep the momentum going and we want to win the game,” said the Germany international.
“I don’t think we have to think about the game against Burnley as it was in the past. Now we have to show ourselves in the future. It happens, we lost the game.
“We are in a good moment now and the new players have settled in well and we have to keep it up. We have confidence.”