The former Liverpool captain Phil Thompson has stated that Emre Can was the pick of the Reds signings last summer.

Can joined Liverpool on a £9.75 million move from Bayer Leverkusen in the summer and has made 40 appearances in his first season at the club.

“He’s certainly been the best of the lot in my opinion,” Thompson told Sky Sports.

“But I’d probably give him an eight – he’s done well, he’s had to play numerous positions and he just got on with it and adapted.

“I think people forget how young he is too, and that maybe contributed to his bad end to the season, but he’s done really well overall.”

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Despite playing most of the season in defence Can is expected to move into a central midfield role during the next league campaign with Gerrard leaving.

Gerrard is set to leave the club for the MLS after spending his entire career at Liverpool.

Can has been called up for the Germany U21 squad ahead of the European Championships this summer.