Form Guide: Liverpool title charge built on solid Can foundation
Liverpool boast the best attack in the Premier League this season. Their 32 goals scored is more than any other team and Jurgen Klopp’s attacking personnel is clearly strong enough to fire the team to domestic glory. Yet, with every strong attack, a team needs a solid defensive foundation to build upon. It’s all well and good being able to score goal after goal, but it negates the strong frontline if your defence is leaking at the same rate.
The Reds’ defence is far from the finished article. Indeed, the 2-0 home win over Sunderland on Saturday was just the third clean sheet Liverpool have kept in the Premier League this season and it’s little shock to see the Merseyside giants linked with a move for a new centre-back to partner Joel Matip. That being said, Liverpool look a far more solid side since Emre Can nailed down a regular starting spot. The German started the season injured, but has since leapt ahead of Georgino Wijnaldum in the pecking order.
In Klopp’s favoured midfield three, Can and Adam Lallana - when fit - operate either side of captain Jordan Henderson at the base and while the latter links the midfield and attack, the former plays a more defensive role to ensure number one Loris Karius is rarely exposed at the back. As such, only Henderson (4.1) is making more tackles per 90 of all Liverpool players than Can (2.6), while the Germany international ranks fourth for interceptions per 90 (1.2) behind Matip and Henderson (both 1.7) and Dejan Lovren (1.4).
Having often been punished for his versatility, with previous Reds boss Brendan Rodgers deploying Can in defence on numerous occasions during his time at Anfield, Klopp has reinstated his compatriot to his favoured midfield position and Liverpool are all the better for it. They are conceding considerably fewer league goals per game with him starting (0.67) than without (1.43), which only reinforces how vital Can is to Liverpool. It’s little wonder then that Can’s WhoScored rating from league starts only this season (7.49) is the fourth best of all Liverpool players, behind their fluid front three.
The expertise he provides in the middle of the park cannot be overstated. While much of the focus this season has been on Coutinho, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane, Can came into the XI and immediately improved the performances of the team, allowing for the trio to attack more freely, safe in the knowledge the German and Henderson are helping to protect the backline. Yet that doesn’t mean Can exclusively holds back, meaning Lallana is the primary midfielder to link the two banks of players.
Joe Allen often played a more offensive role during his final months for Liverpool, with Klopp insisting the Welshman get forward and support the attack, not sit deeper and maximise his distribution qualities. Having not been guaranteed a starting spot, Allen was eventually sold off to Stoke and the Potters are benefitting from Klopp’s decision to demand the midfielder operate in a more advanced role. While Wijnaldum was brought in as another attacking link for Liverpool, Can has since undertaken the role. An average of 1.7 key passes per 90 is a respectable return among all Liverpool players, with the latter undertaking the offensive duties the former should be offering.
This is further emphasised in that Can is averaging 2.1 shots per 90, a vast increase on the 1.1 in the Premier League last season and the fourth best return of all Liverpool players to make more than three appearances this season. It means Can has two league goals to his name this term, the same return he managed the previous two Premier League campaigns combined. His physical stature is also a benefit to him and Liverpool, with 1.3 successful dribbles per 90 a respectable return for the powerhouse 22-year-old.
Can’s standing means he is difficult to rob of possession and with the front three always on the move, he can then pick out the right pass for a teammate in Liverpool’s pursuit of goal. Conversely, his defensive capability allows for the attacking trio to hurt opponents where it’s required, safe in the knowledge Can - along with others - are protecting Karius’ goal. After being regularly played out of position by Rodgers, Klopp has at long last returned Can to his favoured box-to-box role and the Reds boss is having his faith repaid by the midfielder.
With the hectic festive period soon upon us, Can’s influence in midfield will be crucial, both in the defensive and final third, particularly if Liverpool are to continue their pursuit of their first Premier League title.
