'Anything is possible in the Champions League'
Liverpool have scored more times than any other team in this season's Champions League but Emre Can is confident there is even better to come.
A five-goal haul at FC Porto in the first leg of their last-16 clash secured a strong lead for Jürgen Klopp’s side in the tie – and increased their total in the competition proper to 28.
Can and co must still complete the job against the Portuguese league leaders at Anfield but in the game, and should passage to the quarter-finals be achieved, the midfielder expects the Reds to step up their level further.
Asked if Liverpool can show even more in the tournament, the No.23 told UEFA: “Hopefully, yes. Only the best teams get to compete in the Champions League and I think we’re an excellent team.
“Anything is possible in the Champions League. We’re excited about this competition and we’ll take things as they come. We’ll pay every opponent all due respect, but hopefully we can keep winning.
“You don’t get anywhere just thinking, ‘OK, let’s see what happens’. We want to win, regardless of who we play against. Practically anything is possible in the Champions League and that’s why we’ll give it our all.
“We never fear anyone. Of course, we respect the opposition, we always have to, but I won’t say we’re afraid of anybody. When you’ve come this far in the Champions League, you can’t fear anyone.
“We can’t go into a game thinking, ‘Let’s see what happens’. We go into our games with respect, but gunning to win, irrespective of who we’re up against.”
Anfield will host its first Champions League knockout match since 2009 on Tuesday night.
Domestically, meanwhile, Liverpool climbed up to second in the Premier League with their professional 2-0 victory over Newcastle United at the weekend.
Can feels there is no doubt the team’s progress under Klopp is firmly on track.
“I remember when he first came to Liverpool, when he gave his first interview, he said, ‘We have to believe again’,” the Germany international said.
“And I think the fans and the city bought into that message: everyone has faith that we can win trophies again, which is very important. Now people believe in this team again.
“He’s been here for two-and-a-half years now, more or less, and everyone in the squad has developed a lot and we’ve progressed as a team too. So, we can definitely say that he’s helped the club a lot so far.”