Liverpool youngster Emre Can has established himself as a key member of Brendan Rodgers three-man defence this season.
The 21-year-old did however, join the Reds as a central midfielder and his recent statistics demonstrate he does have the skill set to play in a more advanced position.
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Can was deployed at right-back in the 1-0 defeat against Hull City on Tuesday.
Despite the bad result what stood out in terms of the former Bayer Munich youth’s performance was not the number of tackles and interceptions he made, instead it was his passing.
Can completed more passes (77) than any of his teammates, including midfielders Joe Allen, Jordan Henderson and Philip Coutinho.
The 21-year-old also made the second highest number of passes for his side on the weekend (76) after Steven Gerrard. In fact Can completed the second highest number of passes overall in the Premier League over the weekend.
Most successful passes in the Premier League this weekend:
Steven Gerrard (98)
Emre Can (76)
Nabil Bentaleb (74)
Ander Herrera (72)— Squawka Football (@Squawka) April 27, 2015
Passing stats alone are unlikely to be enough to sway Rodgers decision to play Can in defence and he has shown how versatile his game is in establishing himself at the back.
Can is unlikely to move into midfield this season but over the next league campaign he could be used in the centre of the pitch according to former Liverpool star Didi Hamman.
”Long-term, I see Emre Can operating as a central midfielder,” he told the official Liverpool website.
“For now he’s doing a fine job where he is. Being versatile is a great asset in the early stages of your career.”
Should Emre Can stay in defence or be played in his preferred midfield role?
