Can eyeing return after frustrating Reds season

Liverpool have experienced a dream start to the new Premier League season and are hot on the heels of leaders Manchester City, but for Reds midfielder Emre Can, not everything has gone according to plan.

The German international has suffered a frustrating campaign to date; a delayed return from international duty at Euro 2016, coupled with an untimely ankle injury has halted his progress for Liverpool.

Manager Jurgen Klopp has used a settled side in the opening weeks of the season; meaning Can has had to be patient as he waits for his first team opportunity.

But with a two-week window now for the international break, the 22-year-old plans to use his time wisely as he looks to impress his manager in training and force his way into the starting XI in the coming weeks.

(Photo by John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

“I am a very, very bad watcher,” he said. “Of course I’m always happy when my team wins, but it’s always different when you play.

“I have to work hard. I have to get fitness back. If I get game time – which is always different to training – I have to work hard on my game and get confidence again.

“That’s very important for me. I haven’t played so many minutes this season but of course my target is to play a lot of minutes again.

“It is always better to play and be on the pitch. For me, it has been a little bit unlucky so far this season because I came back a little bit late and had a very short break after the Euros.

“Then I came back and got an injury. The team did very well and then I came back and it was not easy to get back into the team.

“Now I have to continue the work, I have to work hard. And I am confident enough that if I am ready and fit, I will play one day.”