Emre Can could be pushed into midfield role at Liverpool following Lucas injury [divider]

Liverpool midfielder Lucas Leiva could be ruled out for a month after picking up a thigh injury against Everton in the Merseyside derby on Saturday.

The absence of the Brazilian could see either Joe Allen or Emre Can fill in.

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Allen may seem the obvious choice but he has not been in the best of form this season and Reds boss Brendan Rodgers may opt for the more physical Can.

Can has started in defence for the past 11 games but has impressed when used in a midfield role.

The 21-year-old hit the post and provided a sublime assist for Raheem Sterling in the 2-1 win over Bolton in the FA Cup Fourth Round replay.

Can was actually signed as a midfielder from Bayer Leverkusen in the summer but Rodgers has used him as a defender for much of the season.

The Liverpool boss has however, been impressed with Can’s versatility and recently said that he would play in midfield one day.

“He’s offered real good balance, is tactically very good for such a young player and in the future will go on and show he’s a top midfield player also,” Rodgers told official Liverpool website.

The 21-year-old has one goal and one assist in 21 appearances for Liverpool in all competitions this season.