Brendan Rodgers expects Emre Can to build on a debut goal for Liverpool at the weekend as the German midfielder begins to establish full fitness and a place in the team following his summer move.

The powerful 20-year-old's acclimatisation to a new club and the demands of English football after a switch to Anfield from Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen in July was initially hampered by injury.

But he was an impressive performer at Real Madrid last Tuesday, enough to retain a starting position for the Barclays Premier League defeat by Chelsea on Saturday, in which he blasted the opening goal on nine minutes.

Can's effort had the fortune of a heavy deflection en route to flying beyond Thibaut Courtois, but the No.23 had earned his good luck with an energetic beginning that continued until he was withdrawn on 70 minutes.

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"He's a big, strong boy who is just coming back to fitness really," Rodgers told Liverpoolfc.com of his performance. "He did very well, showing good power and energy in the game.

"He can shoot from distance and got a good goal. He's a young player that is developing very well and I'm sure over the next couple of years he'll prove to be a very good player.

"He's still a very young player at 20 years of age. So games like the one in the week and this will be good for his experience."

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