On Monday, Jurgen Klopp confirmed that Emre Can is 'available' for tonight's EFL clash with Derby, but Reds legend John Aldridge insists that the German midfield faces an uphill battle to retain a regular place in the team.
During his pre-match press conference, Klopp told reporters:
"He [Can] is available, and now he can collect match time".
Many fans consider Can to be a nailed-on starter when fit, but according to Aldo:
"Emre Can is an excellent player but...how does he get into that midfield? As things stand, he's waiting for an injury, or for someone to slip up".
In my view, fans, pundits, and the players themselves are getting too carried away with the Liverpool's recent good form. Wijhendallana (Wijnaldum, Henderson, and Lallana) have gotten away with it so far, but they will come unstuck sooner or later. Indeed, that midfield trio has already been exposed several times this season, which is one of the reasons why Liverpool have conceded 8 goals in 5 league games (only 5 teams have conceded more).
Diego Costa's goal on Friday is a prime example of what happens when the Wijhendallana axis fails. Chelsea easily scythed through Liverpool's non-existent midfield, and neither Henderson, Wijnaldum, or Lallana were switched on enough to track Matic's run into the box. Other teams will exploit this, and it will cost Liverpool goals.
I'm not the biggest fan of Emre Can, but there's clearly room for a dedicated defensive-midfielder in the team (if indeed that's how Klopp chooses to deploy him), but I suspect that Klopp - in his infinite stubborness - will stick with Wijhendallana, even if the Reds continue to leak goals.
* Can: £33m-rated (CIES Football Observatory)
During his pre-match press conference, Klopp told reporters:
"He [Can] is available, and now he can collect match time".
Many fans consider Can to be a nailed-on starter when fit, but according to Aldo:
"Emre Can is an excellent player but...how does he get into that midfield? As things stand, he's waiting for an injury, or for someone to slip up".
In my view, fans, pundits, and the players themselves are getting too carried away with the Liverpool's recent good form. Wijhendallana (Wijnaldum, Henderson, and Lallana) have gotten away with it so far, but they will come unstuck sooner or later. Indeed, that midfield trio has already been exposed several times this season, which is one of the reasons why Liverpool have conceded 8 goals in 5 league games (only 5 teams have conceded more).
Diego Costa's goal on Friday is a prime example of what happens when the Wijhendallana axis fails. Chelsea easily scythed through Liverpool's non-existent midfield, and neither Henderson, Wijnaldum, or Lallana were switched on enough to track Matic's run into the box. Other teams will exploit this, and it will cost Liverpool goals.
I'm not the biggest fan of Emre Can, but there's clearly room for a dedicated defensive-midfielder in the team (if indeed that's how Klopp chooses to deploy him), but I suspect that Klopp - in his infinite stubborness - will stick with Wijhendallana, even if the Reds continue to leak goals.
* Can: £33m-rated (CIES Football Observatory)
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