Thursday 11 February 2016 17:38, UK
Emre Can says he prefers playing in midfield as it is his best position, something new boss Jurgen Klopp has ensured since arriving at Liverpool.
The versatile Germany international was utilised in a number of different roles under previous manager Brendan Rodgers, who bought him from Bayer Leverkusen in the summer of 2014.
In his debut campaign at Anfield, Rodgers tried Can out as both a makeshift right-back and at times as a centre-back while part of a three-man defence, with varying degrees of success.
However, the 22-year-old thinks he is best suited to operating in the middle of the park, where the likes of Bayern Munich, Leverkusen and his country have used him.
"It is always like that [playing in different positions], but since Jurgen Klopp came I have always been played in midfield, which I think is my favourite position, and I like to play a lot there," said Can in an exclusive interview with Sky Sports News HQ.
"[Klopp] wants a lot from me, he wants me to push the team forward and to help them and that is what I want to try. Every manager has their own style and Jurgen Klopp has his own style and that is why a lot has changed [since Klopp arrived], but I am enjoying it.
"Of course I have to learn so many things and I have to work hard and then hopefully I will be better in a few years."
Liverpool are currently in ninth place in the Premier League after throwing away a two-goal lead late on at home to struggling Sunderland on Saturday.
Can, though, is offering no excuses as the club head to bottom-of-the-table Aston Villa on Super Sunday.
The most important thing is the mentality - if you say you are fit and want to go, then you can go every game
"Of course sometimes you are tired and everything," he said, "but I think the most important thing is the mentality - if you say you are fit and want to go, then you can go every game.
"It was very, very disappointing as it was our mistake because Sunderland did nothing, then we let them come in the last 10 minutes and they scored two goals.
"But I think we deserved to win, we played better than them, we had so many chances and we can learn from that. And I hope that we win the next game now. We do not know why it happened, but we can just learn from that.
"Every team has a lot of games and I think that is no reason why we are where we are in the table. It is not what we want. But there is a long time to go and we have to keep it up and see what happens at the end of the season."
The German has also warned his team-mates not to underestimate Remi Garde's side this weekend, especially with Villa having lost just one of their previous five league matches.
"It is very dangerous [to think Aston Villa will be an easy game]," said Can. "I think we have respect for every team in the Premier League and every game is very, very difficult in the Premier League and it will be a tough game, but I think we have to believe in our qualities."
