Liverpool midfielder Emre Can has given an update on the debilitating calf injury that was plagued him over the past 12 months.
Jurgen Klopp believes the injury was behind his dip in form.
“He has this calf issue which we are still looking into and trying to find out why. Is it his back? Is it his ankle?,” Clop was quoted as saying by the Liverpool Echo.
“It lets him stay on the pitch but it makes him struggle a little bit. We could have said ‘stay off for two or three weeks’, but we don’t have a lot of options.”
See More: For the latest Emre Can news and everything else you ever wanted to know about the Liverpool star
Can meanwhile revealed that he is now pain-free from the injury and that his performances have improved over the past weeks because he stills stronger.
“The last few months the most important thing has been that I am pain-free,” Can was quoted as saying by the Guardian.
Can also said: “I know I could do much better in the past,” he said. “I’ve had a few problems, calf problems, but I kept going and I played. Maybe it was not good that I played and did not have a break but the last few weeks were better and I feel strong again. I know when I am fit and pain-free I am confident enough I know what I am going to do.”
The 23-year-old revealed that he has actually had calf problems for years and that playing out of positions in roles that force him to sprint more have aggravated his problem.
“I’ve had calf problems for many years and it has been very difficult for me because I’ve played out of position, which means more sprints, and 10 minutes into the game I’ve not been able to feel my feet in a few games. I didn’t like to go to the press and say: ‘I am injured.’ I didn’t play well when it was my opportunity to play and it was my mistake. I play in a different position now and I don’t sprint too much. Last week was good, against Burnley was good and I was pain-free,” he added.
Can scored the winning goal in the 2-1 victory over Burnley on Sunday 12 March.
The goal was his fourth of the season and extended the Reds winning streak to two games.
Can has under 18-months remaining on his contract and has yet to strike a new deal.
The Germany international of Turkish origin revealed that contract talks were put on hold because of his injury but that negotiations are now back on the table following his recovery.
“We will speak in the next few weeks and months and see what happens. I want to play injury-free,” he said.
In other Liverpool team news Dejan Lovren tested his fitness back from injury playing for the U23s against against Chelsea last night.
The Reds won the game 2-0 at Prenton Park.
