Football
Jens Weber 9y

Emre Can: Liverpool can compete for title next season

Emre Can believes Liverpool can be title contenders next season, telling kicker: "The 25-year drought can come to an end soon."

Liverpool have been crowned champions of England 18 times, but they have failed to transfer their domestic dominance into the Premier League era, with their most recent triumph coming in 1989-90.

Brendan Rodgers came close to guiding the Reds to the 2013-14 title before ending the campaign as runners-up and, while they finished sixth last season after the exit of Luis Suarez, Can is confident they will soon bounce back.

The 21-year-old, who arrived from Bayer Leverkusen in the summer of 2014, told the German football magazine: "Of course it is realistic to win titles with Liverpool.

"Liverpool FC is a top club. Looking at history and tradition, it is one of the greatest clubs in the world. That is why I decided to go there.

"Regrettably we performed below our expectations last season, but I think we can compete for the title next year. Everybody in the team has to believe that it's possible."

Can, who has welcomed the arrival of Brazil international Roberto Firmino from Hoffenheim, added: "The quality of the squad is very high. We saw what is possible in the big matches against Chelsea, Arsenal, United and City."

Can is currently with the Germany side at the European Under-21 Championship and has been impressing in a midfield role.

He has already made clear that, while he is willing to continue in defence as a short-term measure, he ultimately sees himself as a holding midfielder. 

He emphasised that in the interview with kicker, saying: "I want to find a permanent spot in midfield in the future [but] especially when you're young, you have to be grateful for the trust and for every minute on the pitch, no matter what position. You have to grow into a leading role. You have to earn that through hard work."

He said he thinks of himself as a "leader on the pitch" and that taking responsibility is part of his character, but he does not want to be compared to Steven Gerard just yet.

"He is a great player and has achieved a lot," he said. "It will take years for me to get there. I have the greatest respect for him and what he brought to Liverpool FC. I want to go my own way and be recognised as Emre Can."

He also said there is room for improvement in terms of his attacking output, saying: "I need to score more goals. That's what I have to work on."

Can had started his career at Bayern Munich before leaving for Leverkusen in 2013 in search of first-team football, and he has fond memories of his time in Bavaria.

"I joined Bayern at 15 to get a good education there," he said. "They have a great youth setup and taught me a lot. Later on I could train with the pros and learn from the likes of Bastian Schweinsteiger and Luiz Gustavo. I will never forget that."

He said Germany U21 teammate Joshua Kimmich, who has joined Bayern from Stuttgart, has made the right decision.

"I am happy for Joshua Kimmich and think that he can make it at Bayern," he said. "He plays an important role in the U21 national team.

"He wins a lot of tackles and his quick transition play is fantastic. If he continues to develop like that he can play an important role in any team in the world."

Can, meanwhile, is hoping to prove himself in Joachim Low's senior Germany side in time for Euro 2016 but also has an eye on the 2016 Olympics in Sao Paulo.

"To take part in the Olympic Games would be a dream to me just as much as playing the Euro 2016 at France," he said. "Theoretically you can play both tournaments as the dates don't collide."

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