Emre Can to assume defensive midfield role for Liverpool this season

With Lucas Leiva looking likely to leave Liverpool this summer, reports suggest Emre Can is set to take on his defensive-midfield role.

Emre Can will play a major role in Liverpool’s midfield this season, with Brendan Rodgers earmarking the German for the defensive-midfield position.

That is according to Liverpool Echo journalist James Pearce.

Speaking to the AnfieldHQ podcast, Pearce claims: “Emre Can is viewed as being very capable of playing that holding role.”

Can’s introduction 62 minutes into Sunday’s 1-0 victory away to Stoke City prompted a more progressive Liverpool system, and the 21-year-old’s inclusion came at the expense of Brazilian midfielder Lucas Leiva.

Lucas has been linked with a move away from Merseyside this summer, and Pearce discussed his departure.

“I don’t think it was a great shock that [Lucas] wasn’t in the starting lineup,” he said.

“But I was surprised that he didn’t make the bench, and I think for someone of his experience to not make the bench the alarm bells are ringing.

“Knowing Lucas as I do, he would certainly have been devastated to be told he wasn’t even on the bench.

“I think it was telling as well that whilst the likes of [Mamadou] Sakho and [Lazar] Markovic did travel, Lucas didn’t.”

He later continued: “Rodgers in his time at Liverpool has never really gone in for the archetypal defensive midfielder…I just feels like it’s probably the end for Lucas.

“He wanted to go to Napoli last summer, but Liverpool weren’t prepared to loan him out.

“He wanted to go to Inter Milan in January, but Liverpool weren’t prepared to sell him at that point.

“It’s fair to say he’s been frustrated at falling down the pecking order.”

Can is one of the major contributing factors in Lucas’ marginalisation within Rodgers’ squad, and Pearce elaborated on his first-team role for 2015/16 elsewhere for the Echo.

“From what I’ve heard, the staff do believe Can can play that role in front of the back four,” he said.

“I think it’s needed more in the bigger games, not so much when teams come to Anfield and sit back.”

Along with Lucas, Pearce reaffirmed Liverpool’s desire to sell Fabio Borini, Mario Balotelli and Jose Enrique this summer.

He also raised question marks over the future of left-back Alberto Moreno.

Can is part of a new-look squad for the 2015/16 season, and the Reds are in a much healthier position as they renew they charge in the Premier League and beyond.

• Read more: Exploring how Liverpool could replace Lucas Leiva this season

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Reports: Fabio Borini to return to Sunderland on loan

Unwanted Liverpool forward Fabio Borini is to return to Sunderland on loan, according to reports on Thursday.

The Italian forward spent the 2013/14 season with the Black Cats side, scoring 12 goals in 41 appearances, but turned down a permanent move to the North East last summer after Liverpool reportedly accepted a bid in the region of £14 million.

That did not go down well at Anfield and thus he was marginalised for much of the season, starting just five times – scoring once, at Aston Villa in January.

This summer, Borini has been cast aside along with Mario Balotelli and Jose Enrique; not included in the club’s pre-season tour or any friendly games, and forced to train separately from the first-team squad.

The 24-year-old, signed by Brendan Rodgers in his first summer at Anfield three years ago, has been linked with a return to Italy and also with West Ham United.

But reports on Thursday claim Sunderland want Borini and Man United winger Adnan Januzaj on season-long loan deals.

Interest was first reported in the Sunderland Echo and has later been claimed by the Guardian too.

Reports last week claimed Fiorentina had agreed a £7 million fee with Liverpool for Borini, but that personal terms were still to be agreed. It could be that the player is demanding too much and therefore Liverpool are unable to force a permanent move away.

Borini has two years left on his contract.

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Moreno vs. Gomez, Lallana’s role & players you want to stay: Liverpool fans vote on current talking points

With the new season up and running, we look at how Liverpool fans have voted on some of the current talking points surrounding the team.

The Reds’ gritty 1-0 victory at Stoke City on Sunday may have given them the perfect start to their 2015/16 campaign, but there are still plenty of team-related issues that need solving.

Whether it be how Brendan Rodgers lines up at the back, or who merits a place in the attacking areas of the pitch, you have all been voting in your droves over the last few days.

Here is how you’ve voted in our most recent polls.

Moreno > Gomez

This is perhaps a little bit surprising, considering the swell of positivity surrounding Joe Gomez’s form since arriving from Charlton Athletic in the summer.

66 per cent of you would still like to see Alberto Moreno as Liverpool’s first-choice left-back, with the Spaniard’s experience maybe a reason for this.

For the time being it looks as though Rodgers will stick with Gomez, however, but Moreno must surely believe he can reclaim his place in the team sooner rather than later, if the 18-year-old’s form dips.

> Nathaniel Clyne and Joe Gomez show Liverpool’s full-back solution at Stoke City

Sakho > Lovren

With much debate surrounding Rodgers’ preferred centre-back duo, you have made it very clear who you think should partner Martin Skrtel, out of Mamadou Sakho and Dejan Lovren.

83 per cent would rather the Frenchman be in the team instead of Lovren, despite the latter’s impressive performance at the Britannia Stadium.

Once again, however, it looks as though Rodgers is disagreeing with the masses, with Lovren set to be given an extended run in the team. Could that prove fatal for the Ulsterman?

> Skrtel and Lovren are Rodgers’ “preferred pairing at centre-half”

Lallana Out

Despite a strong pre-season, Adam Lallana‘s disappointing display at Stoke has put his place in Rodgers’ first-choice starting eleven in real jeopardy.

Almost three-quarters of you would not choose him in your best possible Liverpool team, with Roberto Firmino surely set to replace him when fully fit.

Lallana doesn’t really seem to have a position that he can nail down, and unfortunately for the 27-year-old, he tends to affect the balance of the side when he does start.

> Adam Lallana faces fight for first-team spot after slow start at Liverpool

Keep Sakho… and Markovic

With as many as eight Reds players potentially leaving Anfield this month- some more likely than others- you have made it very clear who you would be the saddest to see move on to pastures new.

A whopping 47 per cent don’t want to see Sakho leave, which despite Rodgers’ rather strange admiration for Lovren, does still look unlikely.

Lazar Markovic has gained the second-most amount of votes, while Lucas Leiva, a player whose future is definitely up in the air, is third.

It’s fair to say very few of you would be upset to see the back of Jose Enrique.

> 8 players who could still leave Liverpool FC this month

Coutinho Magic

Philippe Coutinho‘s stunning late winner clearly made all the difference, with Liverpool’s brilliant Brazilian earning 49 per cent of your votes.

The 23-year-old was not having a good day at the office until then, but match-winning moments like that are priceless.

Lovren was second, and probably deserved Man of the Match in truth, while Nathaniel Clyne, James Milner and Gomez all impressed some of you on their competitive debuts for the Reds.

> Stoke City 0-1 Liverpool: Player Ratings

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Alberto Moreno: Our rivals have 'bigger budgets'

Alberto Moreno has claimed that Liverpool's rivals for the Champions League places have "bigger budgets," but the Reds can still succeed.

Brendan Rodgers' outfit followed up their runners-up finish in the 2013/14 season by finishing in sixth last campaign, with the pressure on to qualify for the Champions League again.

They have spent £77.5million on seven players in order to assist their aim of returning to Europe's top table, a figure which far outstrips that of champions Chelsea (£12.5million) and Arsenal (£10million), and ranks just above Manchester City (£65million) and Manchester United's (£76.1million) spending this summer.

The highest-spending side so far this summer, only Chelsea and United spent more in the 2014/15 season than the Reds, with the former representing the sole club who have spent more on players than Liverpool over the past two seasons.

Regardless, Moreno claims that although Liverpool are aiming to seal Champions League qualification again this season, they face an uphill battle as the current top four all have "bigger budgets".

"Our target is to finish in the Champions League places and lift a trophy," the left-back told Spanish publication Marca. "Liverpool haven't won anything since 2011-12 and our dream is to put that right. The people here deserve it.

"We have a young squad who can achieve big things.

"It's a tall order because Chelsea, City, United and Arsenal have bigger budgets, but we're not ruling anything out."

After coming in for heavy criticism in his debut campaign last season, Moreno was dropped for summer acquisition Joe Gomez - a centre-half by nature - for the opening game of the season at Stoke.

The Spaniard, 23, has admitted his first season at Anfield "was difficult", but he remains confident of retaining his place in the Reds' backline.

"I'd like to be a regular in the starting line-up, to play as many games as possible and for the fans to enjoy watching me," he added.

"The first year was difficult because of the language issue and moving away from home, but I made 41 appearances, which is pretty good for my age and a club of Liverpool's stature.

"Maybe the defensive aspect (is more difficult). This league is very physical, you're up against really fast and incisive players. In Spain it's more tactical and positional."

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Moreno: Balotelli 'never bothers anyone'

Mario Balotelli: 'Unfairly maligned'

Liverpool defender Alberto Moreno has defended striker Mario Balotelli and says: "He never bothers anyone."

The 25-year-old frontman is expected to leave Anfield this summer and has been training away from the first-team squad with Jose Enrique and Fabio Borini. 

Balotelli has been linked with a return to Italy with Bologna and Sampdoria, but so far nothing has materialised for the Italy international who scored four goals in 28 appearances last season.

The former Man City forward has been heavily criticised for his lack of application and this week compatriotPaolo di Canio slammed Balotelli for being a celebrity rather than a footballer.

"I think he’s unfairly maligned," Moreno told the Liverpool Echo.

"He’s a very relaxed guy. He never bothers anyone. He could be a great striker. He's got the tools.

"Things haven’t gone well for him here. He’s really struggled to score goals. 'This had never happened to me before,’ he told me.

"I wish him the best if he ends up leaving because he’s a great lad."

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Luis Suarez: Leaving Liverpool was the 'right decision'

Luis Suarez: Signed for Barca last summer

Luis Suarez feels leaving Liverpool was "the right decision", saying he has been vindicated by his trophy haul in his first season at Barcelona.

Uruguayan Suarez left Liverpool for the Nou Camp in a deal worth around £75million last summer, with the 28-year-old adding a Super Cup victory after Tuesday's win over Sevilla to his La Liga, Copa del Rey and Champions League treble with the Blaugrana last campaign.

Liverpool, meanwhile, dropped from 2nd in Suarez's final season at Anfield to sixth in 2014/15, with semi-final berths in the FA and Capital One Cups representing the closest they came to silverware.

Discussing his departure from the Reds for Barcelona last summer, Suarez told Sport360: "It was the right decision.

"Winning trophies was a part of my decision in joining Barcelona, but also as a family we knew it was the right decision even before I won a trophy.

"I am very happy at Barcelona - I am at the best club in the world."

Suarez also revealed his admiration for his Barcelona team-mates, reserving particular admiration for star forwards Lionel Messi and Neymar.

"There are so many players in this team that can score goals, and all I want to do is a good job for the team. 

"I am privileged to be able to play with Messi and Neymar - for me it is a dream."

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Alberto Moreno: Liverpool can “achieve beautiful things” this season

With Liverpool hopes renewed at the start of the 2015/16 season, left-back Alberto Moreno thinks the new campaign can be a successful one.

Despite starting the season on the substitutes’ bench, with speculation mounting over a summer exit, Liverpool left-back Alberto Moreno is targeting success on Merseyside in 2015/16.

The 23-year-old, speaking to Spanish publication Marca, believes Liverpool “can achieve beautiful things.”

“Upon arrival I realized how great this team is,” Moreno said.

“The first year was difficult because of the language issue and the change of [culture], but I played 41 games, which is fine for my age and for a club of the stature Liverpool.

Asked about his highlight of the 2014/15 campaign, he said: “The goal I scored against Tottenham in my second game.

“I have that moment recorded.”

With Joe Gomez supplanting him in Brendan Rodgers‘ first-team thoughts for the beginning of the season, however, it is clear that Moreno has work to do.

The former Sevilla man continued to speak about his targets for the season, saying: “I would like to become the starting [left-back], playing the maximum possible games and for the people of Liverpool to enjoy me.

“Our goal is to enter the top four, to return to play in the Champions League, and lift a trophy.

“Liverpool has [gone] long without winning anything, from 2011/12, and that is our dream.

“The people deserve it. We are a young team, good players have joined and if the team [plays] well together, we can achieve beautiful things.

“The Scousers want to win everything.

“It is very difficult because Chelsea, City, United and Arsenal have more [money], but we do not give up anything.”

Moreno also highlighted two players who can play a major role in Liverpool’s future success: Christian Benteke and Jordon Ibe.

“I was surprised [by Benteke]: he’s very good,” he said.

“In the air no one will [beat him] and on the floor, despite how big he is, he handles it well.

“You can [back] him to score goals this season.”

On Ibe, he continued: “Last season, despite being 19 years old we saw that he has qualities to be one of the best young players in Europe.”

Moreno will be hoping to force his way back into the first team this season.

But the performance of Gomez at Stoke points to a big challenge ahead for the Spaniard.

• Read more: Jose Enrique discusses Liverpool future: “If I stay I will play”

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Jose Enrique discusses Liverpool future: “If I stay I will play”

Spanish left-back Jose Enrique is still targeting a first-team role at Liverpool this season, despite his future looking bleak under Brendan Rodgers.

Jose Enrique still harbours hope of securing a first-team role at Liverpool this season, claiming: “I know that if I stay I will play.”

The 29-year-old left-back spoke to Spanish publication Marca, discussing his future on Merseyside and whether a move back to La Liga is on the cards in the future.

“I am in a difficult position,” he said.

“[Liverpool] have alienated [Mario] Balotelli, [Fabio] Borini and me.

“I have a year [left on my] contract and I imagine that the club will want to [sell], but I still have the idea to stay and fight as I always have.

“If a good opportunity came with more years of contract and more options to play, I would [look into it].”

“I will not give up. Football changes from day to night – I know from experience.

“I [feel] perfect after two years with knee discomfort and Liverpool is obliged to [keep] me.

“In addition, there is only one pure left-back [at the club] and I know that if I stay I’ll play.

“I want to prove [people] wrong.”

Enrique joined Liverpool from Newcastle United in 2011, in a deal worth £6 million.

Despite a bright start to his career on Merseyside, he has faded into obscurity under Rodgers.

Last season, owing to various injuries and a perceived lack of commitment, the Spaniard made just four appearances in the Premier League.

His assertion that Rodgers only has one recognised senior left-back is pertinent, however.

Joe Gomez—a centre-back by trade—started over Alberto Moreno in the Reds’ opening-weekend victory over Stoke City, and the Liverpool squad is thin on the left defensive flank.

However, Enrique’s notion that he will play if he remains on Merseyside is farcical.

Being behind Gomez, Moreno and Joe Maguire in the pecking order, not playing a game throughout pre-season and being forced to train alone should underline his position.

However, Enrique continues to claim that he has already turned down a move back to La Liga.

“I had a very good option to return to Spain,” he said.

“But [it] is complicated because the economy is very different from what exists here.

“The only teams that can deal with what is paid in England are [Real Madrid and Barcelona], so I would love to stay here until my legs stop me.”

Football isn’t all about money though, right?

[Note: Quotes are roughly translated from Spanish.]

• Read more: Jose Enrique: Where will Liverpool left-back end up this month?

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Andre Wisdom: “I still see my future as being at Liverpool”

Spending the 2015/16 season on loan at Premier League battlers Norwich City, Andre Wisdom says his future still lies with Liverpool.

Andre Wisdom believes his future is at Liverpool, and wants to use his season-long loan with Norwich City to springboard his way into Brendan Rodgers‘ side.

After signing a new contract this summer, Wisdom featured in the Reds’ pre-season tour of the Far East and Australia.

However, on return the 22-year-old joined the Canaries’ relegation battle in a temporary move.

Despite this being his third loan move in as many seasons, Wisdom remained positive, saying: “I still see my future as being at Liverpool.”

“I made my Premier League debut for Liverpool at Norwich so I was happy to come here on loan and hopefully achieve some success,” he said.

“I have also had loan spells at Derby and West Brom because I know that going out on loan is a big part of the game now.

“I am still young and I am still learning.

“But the Premier League is very tough so these loans can only help to make me a better player.

“Whatever happens I still see my future as being at Liverpool.

“But you have to prove yourself at this level and hopefully I can do that here.”

Wisdom was on the bench as Norwich opened their Premier League season with a 3-1 loss at the hands of Crystal Palace.

But he will be hoping for more opportunities as the campaign rolls on.

The former Bradford City youth player faces competition from Scottish international Steven Whittaker for a regular role at right-back.

With Liverpool decidedly light in terms of full-back depth at this point, Wisdom may have been of use to Rodgers this season, let alone the next.

• Read more: Nathaniel Clyne and Joe Gomez show Liverpool’s full-back solution at Stoke City

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