Emre not short of motivation ahead of Saints trip
Last season's disappointments are fuelling Emre Can's desire to win silverware with Liverpool - and the midfielder is determined to move a step closer to another final tonight.
The Reds fell at the last hurdle in two competitions in 2015-16, as a penalty shootout loss to Manchester City in the League Cup final was followed by defeat against Sevilla in the Europa League showpiece three months later.
Can and his teammates visit Southampton for the first leg of their EFL Cup semi-final tie this evening, with Liverpool now having reached this stage of the tournament in three successive seasons.
However, neither of the Germany international’s previous two appearances in the last four have led to him lifting the trophy - and that is something he is eager to remedy at Wembley next month.
“It makes us more motivated because we know the feeling of losing in cup finals so now we want the nice feeling of winning them. I hope, and I think, that we will win the next final we are in,” Can explained, during an interview in the latest edition of the official Liverpool FC magazine.
“Every year I have been here we have made the League Cup semi-final. In 2015 it was Chelsea and we lost. In 2016 it was against Stoke City and we made the final but lost on penalties.
“Now it is another semi-final against Southampton so it makes sense to go and win it! This is our aim, of course.”
Liverpool have already visited St Mary’s once this season and left with a 0-0 draw after a resolute Saints side stood firm in the face of a largely dominant display from the visitors.
Can started that game and is well aware of the difficulties Jürgen Klopp’s side could face tonight, but the former Bayer Leverkusen man - who turns 23 tomorrow - is glad the second leg of the tie will take place at Anfield.
“I know that from our game against them this season in the Premier League, Southampton will be a very tough opponent to play,” the No.23 added.
“They are a really good team, a very strong side, and I think it wasn’t our best game when we drew 0-0 there. But we know we can do better and our target is to win both games and go to the final.
“I prefer to play at home second because if you go to extra-time or penalties, it is always better to be at home with your fans behind you to help you win the game.”
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