Emre Can (Defensive Midfielder)?

Interesting link on the official website regarding how Brendan Rodgers sees Emre Can's role at Anfield...
http://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/latest-news/177044-rodgers-why-emre-s-influence-will-grow

Could seem to suggest that he will eventually be deployed as the defensive midfielder/deep-lying midfielder role that Lucas Leiva has been occupying recently.

"He played centre-half in one of the games I took in last year when I went to see him. He played there in a 4-2-3-1."

"His favoured position is more of a defensive player, even though I've played him in an attacking role because I think that's something he can do more of. But if you asked him his profile, he likes to be in that sitting role where he can play and dictate the game as well as be physical in the challenge and duels."

Interesting link on the official website regarding how Brendan Rodgers sees Emre Can's role at Anfield...
http://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/latest-news/177044-rodgers-why-emre-s-influence-will-grow

Could seem to suggest that he will eventually be deployed as the defensive midfielder/deep-lying midfielder role that Lucas Leiva has been occupying recently.

Haven't seen enough of him yet, but so far his game seems more like SG's than Lucas's ie. deep lying, but more creative than destructive.

whatever his previous, we deffo need a d m with pace and tenacity sooner rather than later, so if the cap fits ! Even if its just until the end of this season, or Jan if we get another option in.

Interesting link on the official website regarding how Brendan Rodgers sees Emre Can's role at Anfield...
http://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/latest-news/177044-rodgers-why-emre-s-influence-will-grow

Could seem to suggest that he will eventually be deployed as the defensive midfielder/deep-lying midfielder role that Lucas Leiva has been occupying recently.

So what else is new?

Can't see why it wouldn't work, he looks a good all rounder from what I've seen.

Just want to see more of him. Think this is one player Brendan should have bedded into the team pretty much from the off. Fair enough he was injured for a bit. But the guy has something about him and seems a very good all rounder. After seeing some of the dross in midfield performances this season, then seeing the camera pan to him on the bench, I just face palm.

It's mainly why he was bought wasn't it? That and being versatile.

Yes exactly.  I'm not sure why this thread suggests that him being played at DM would be some sort of revolutionary idea.  That's like asking "should we play Coutinho as an attacking midfielder?"  Can's best position is at DM.  At Leverkusen he was utilized in a pinch in other places in a pinch, at RB for example and as a more central midfielder than at DM.

But DM is where he is best.  He's strong and fast, can get forward as we saw at Spurs, against Madrid etc.  Knows how to put in a tackle.

I would rather see Can at DM right now than Stevie or Lucas.  At least he's athletic.  On top of that he's got great skill on the ball.

Think he's got a bright future if he's allowed to play at DM, his natural position.  Let's just hope Rodgers sees that as well.

Just start him please.

This worries me as to why he bought him, only time i saw a full game when Can played in defense was when a sh*t Moyes united put 5 past them and Can was the worst player on the pitch.

This worries me as to why he bought him, only time i saw a full game when Can played in defense was when a sh*t Moyes united put 5 past them and Can was the worst player on the pitch.

Funnily enough, that's what scum fans thought when we bought him.

I like him a lot, there is something about this kid that just says top player, I like the idea of a midfield 3 with him as DM and a in form Henderson in HIS preferred role & Morgan Sneiderlin in front of him, throw in a top keeper(Cech), and we have a great spine, can't see it happening tho, FSG won't part with the spondoolies required for Morgan or Cech,  would solve a problem or two to boot, more solid defensively, confidence from the back and better balanced going forward = progress= confidence = happy players = winning mentality = success = titles & trophies = more profit for owners= everyone's a winner baby, that was Hot Chocolate, right now we're cold porridge !



YNWA

This worries me as to why he bought him, only time i saw a full game when Can played in defense was when a sh*t Moyes united put 5 past them and Can was the worst player on the pitch.

Rather ironically, Can is being linked (in the Express  ) with a move to "The Chosen One"' Real Sociedad!

Just want to see more of him. Think this is one player Brendan should have bedded into the team pretty much from the off. Fair enough he was injured for a bit. But the guy has something about him and seems a very good all rounder. After seeing some of the dross in midfield performances this season, then seeing the camera pan to him on the bench, I just face palm.

If that was so easy we´d have had Manquillo, Lovren, Moreno, Can, Markovič, Lallana and Balotelli all bedded in the team already. There is continuity and evolution of the team, and then there is kamikaze footiemanager revolutionary style.

If that was so easy we´d have had Manquillo, Lovren, Moreno, Can, Markovič, Lallana and Balotelli all bedded in the team already. There is continuity and evolution of the team, and then there is kamikaze footiemanager revolutionary style.

I tend to agree with that, it's a dangerous thing to make too many changes too quickly. Brendan understands the need for experience in the team to accommodate the introduction of young players into the team. It's just a pity that our experienced players aren't what they used to be.
I do think Can should have been used more than he has to date, but it seems the majority of the players we sign seem to be intended for the following season! 

This worries me as to why he bought him, only time i saw a full game when Can played in defense was when a sh*t Moyes united put 5 past them and Can was the worst player on the pitch.

But... as I'm sure you'll know; he played at left back in that game [far from his best position] in a team decimated by injury so your take on him as a defensive midfield player may be somewhat distorted. 

If that was so easy we´d have had Manquillo, Lovren, Moreno, Can, Markovič, Lallana and Balotelli all bedded in the team already. There is continuity and evolution of the team, and then there is kamikaze footiemanager revolutionary style.

Yes, and I would say with hindsight of course, both him and Lallana would have needed bedding in. Hardly Kamikaze footie manager.

Can & Henderson in midfield, would love to see that happen. Only downside would be composure and passing, but we'll have a more energetic, tenacious, physical and quicker central midfield pairing than a Lucas & Gerrard.

Can & Henderson in midfield, would love to see that happen. Only downside would be composure and passing, but we'll have a more energetic, tenacious, physical and quicker central midfield pairing than a Lucas & Gerrard.

Yea, I'd like to see those two lads in midfield too, could complement each other quite well. Can't see it happen though. For now.

I think he is best suited to playing as part of a midfield 2.  I see him as our version of Matic, although still lacking a bit of experience.  Put another top CM next to him like Moutinho or Pogba and we would dominate games through our midfield again!!

Too damn right he ought to be defensive midfielder - in fact, get him starting there now.

With Gerrard and Lucas constantly (to the frustration of many fans including myself) being deployed as defensive midfielders, we are letting the opposition overrun us all the time thanks to Gerrard and Lucas's lack of mobility.

Can has the pressing and mobility to help ease defensive worries and link up with attacks - Gerrard and Lucas are constantly damaging our ability to defend and attack. The odd glory ball from Gerrard in one match is quite frankly not nearly contributory enough from the captain and we need players who will contribute throughout 90 minutes. Bring him on during the latter stages when the game is stretched, that is perhaps the best impact we can hope for from Gerrard.

It would be interesting to see him as the DM in a 14231 similar to Rafa's system.

Brendan's preferred system - when everyone is fit - is a 1433 or 1343 neither of which use a DM so the question is a bit redundant.

It would be interesting to see him as the DM in a 14231 similar to Rafa's system.

Brendan's preferred system - when everyone is fit - is a 1433 or 1343 neither of which use a DM so the question is a bit redundant.

What are you talking about? When We play 4-3-3 we don't have a DM? I guess you haven't been watching us much, have you?

It would be interesting to see him as the DM in a 14231 similar to Rafa's system.

Brendan's preferred system - when everyone is fit - is a 1433 or 1343 neither of which use a DM so the question is a bit redundant.

Really hard to describe our current formation. But I believe that it's closer to 523 then 343.
Our lwb and rwb, Lazar and Hendo both look uncomfortable in their positions. Which leads to that they get caught in the middle of the pitch.
Against burnley Lazar didn't make enough attacking runs, Hendo doesn't have the pace to make those runs without getting caught.

I don't have anything against the formation, but I believe that for those postion you really need a pacey player who can defend. Another reason to put moreno instead of Lazar as lwb.

Before you say moreno can't defend, he will do a better job defending then Lazar. Lazar in that position can't shine, because his talent lies in attack and not defend. Putting him in that position. He can't do both.

So my point is that our formation is closer to 523 then 343. Another reason why our midfield struggles. It's just how I see It tho, would love feedback on my thoughts.

What are you talking about? When We play 4-3-3 we don't have a DM? I guess you haven't been watching us much, have you?

Wait, what?

A "DM" needs to be able to position himself intelligently, press, tackle and lay the ball off to start transitional play. Gerrard is poor at all four of those things.It is true that he is the deepest midfielder so ends up in more defensive positions compared to the other two in the 1433 system but his role actually as DLPM in that system similar to Alonso or Pirlo not a "DM". The roles are quite different.

I think you are misunderstanding the role.

Alonso wasn't a DM he was a Deep Lying Playmaker (a DLPM) like Pirlo.

In Milan, Pirlo needed Gattuso to do the running, pressing and put in the tackles for him. At Juve, Marchisio and Vidal did the same. In the Italian side De Rossi performs the same role when the other two aren't available.

Alonso needed to play alongside Hamann, Masch or Leiva for the same reason. At Real, Diarra and Khedeira and at Bayern, Lahm and Martinez protect him.

In terms of a defensive midfielder, Masch is a better tackler and Hamann was more mobile but in terms of overall play as a DM Leiva is equal to both of them with notably better positioning and distribution.

There is no specialist "DM" role in either of the preferred formations the manager prefers. The team as a whole is expected to defend and press as a whole rather than leaving it to a "spoiler". Otherwise the formation would be named a 14123 instead of a 1433.

That's why he didn't buy a specialist "DM" whilst he was at Reading, he didn't buy a "DM" whilst he spent two years in charge of Swansea and he has never bought a "DM" in all of the transfer windows he has been the manager of our football club. In fact, the only recognised "DM" we have, in Lucas, has until recently been rumoured to be leaving in January without being replaced - though recent results may make Brendan change his mind. Hence my original point.

Thanks for the patronising comment though - they're always funniest coming from someone who doesn't know the basics.

Too damn right he ought to be defensive midfielder - in fact, get him starting there now.

With Gerrard and Lucas constantly (to the frustration of many fans including myself) being deployed as defensive midfielders, we are letting the opposition overrun us all the time thanks to Gerrard and Lucas's lack of mobility.

Can has the pressing and mobility to help ease defensive worries and link up with attacks - Gerrard and Lucas are constantly damaging our ability to defend and attack. The odd glory ball from Gerrard in one match is quite frankly not nearly contributory enough from the captain and we need players who will contribute throughout 90 minutes. Bring him on during the latter stages when the game is stretched, that is perhaps the best impact we can hope for from Gerrard.

I think Lucas has done a good job. In fact, currently, I'd have him ahead of Henderson, Gerrard and Allen in midfield. I wouldn't mind seeing him with Can in a midfield "two". They could compliment each other nicely.

Wait, what?

A "DM" needs to be able to position himself intelligently, press, tackle and lay the ball off to start transitional play. Gerrard is poor at all four of those things.It is true that he is the deepest midfielder so ends up in more defensive positions compared to the other two in the 1433 system but his role actually as DLPM in that system similar to Alonso or Pirlo not a "DM". The roles are quite different.

There is no specialist "DM" role in either of the preferred formations the manager prefers. The team as a whole is expected to defend and press as a whole rather than leaving it to a "spoiler". Otherwise the formation would be named a 14123 instead of a 1433.

That's why he didn't buy a specialist "DM" whilst he was at Reading, he didn't buy a "DM" whilst he spent two years in charge of Swansea and he has never bought a "DM" in all of the transfer windows he has been the manager of our football club. In fact, the only recognised "DM" we have, in Lucas, has until recently been rumoured to be leaving in January without being replaced - though recent results may make Brendan change his mind. Hence my original point.

Thanks for the patronising comment though - they're always funniest coming from someone who doesn't know the basics.

Who cares what you call him? Rodgers played Gerrard as the deepest midfielder for a big portion of last season, to do the defending when everyone ahead of him got overrun. You can call it DLPM as much as you want, and Rodgers can call it that too in his 180 page whatever. But when the smoke clears, he played him as a DM, to shield the back line.

Who cares what you call him? Rodgers played Gerrard as the deepest midfielder for a big portion of last season, to do the defending when everyone ahead of him got overrun. You can call it DLPM as much as you want, and Rodgers can call it that too in his 180 page whatever. But when the smoke clears, he played him as a DM, to shield the back line.

No, he isn't there to "shield the back line" that's the point.

That's why he's not a "DM". It's an entirely different role within the formation not just calling someone by a different label.

It's like calling Allen the striker rather than a central midfielder just because he will take some shots "when the smoke clears and there is noone else in front of him".

As pointed out in my previous post, if you can't appreciate the obvious difference, you won't realise how the rest of the midfield is set up to allow the DLPM to work, let alone how the centre backs and goalkeeper should be playing behind them.

Having a basic understanding of the position is the key to understanding the system. Replace Gerrard, Alonso or Pirlo with a "DM" whose strengths are shielding and tackling in those systems and watch what happens to the team as a whole.

That's the point you are missing. Can might be better defensively but is he ready to consistently run the game and create the play at the heart of the team like those three?

Back to the original point, we could try him in a 14231 alongside Lucas as a "DM" but the results of doing that with Mascherano and Lucas weren't spectacular even when they were the best two DMs in the league, better fullbacks and a goalkeeper who allowed the centre backs to compress the play behind them rather than sticking rigidly to his line.

The entire system is predicated on trying to maximise Gerrard's strengths and negate his weaknesses. Simply swopping him for Can unbalances the whole team even further since they are completely different players.

This worries me as to why he bought him, only time i saw a full game when Can played in defense was when a sh*t Moyes united put 5 past them and Can was the worst player on the pitch.

Was playing left back from what I remember. Also players do have a bad game and the fact they got destroyed suggests it was a team problem, not an individual one.

Believe eit or not, even the likes of Suarez have bad games.