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Liverpool midfielder Emre Can has admitted replacing former captain Steven Gerrard is a difficult task and not even the likes of Barcelona’s Lionel Messi can take his place at Anfield, Daily Mail reported. Can has expressed his desire to follow the footsteps of the Liverpool legend, who was the club’s most influential player over the past two decades.
It was a heartbreaking experience for all the Kopites around the world when Gerrard announced his decision to quit the Merseyside club and join Major League Soccer outfit LA Galaxy during summer. The former England international ended his 17 years of service at the club, but he recently returned to England during the American off-season.
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has denied claims he could rejoin the Reds for a second spell with the club. However, Klopp has opened the door for him to train with the club.
Germany’s Can was earmarked as a potential replacement for the Liverpool legend and he has expressed his desire to go on and become like Gerrard. But the former Bayer Leverkusen midfielder has admitted Gerrard’s boots are too big to fill in and not even the likes of Messi could replace him at Anfield.
“I don’t think anyone can replace Gerrard, be it Messi or whoever,” Can said in an interview. “Of course I would like to follow in his path but he really was the best player for Liverpool, not just on the pitch but off the pitch as well.”
Liverpool can make it to top four this season: Can
The Reds enjoyed an impressive win against Chelsea last month, but Can and his teammates could not continue their unbeaten streak as they suffered their first defeat under the former Borussia Dortmund manager on Sunday against high-flying Crystal Palace courtesy of goals from Yannick Bolasie and Scott Dann.
Despite the setback, the German international has been impressed by his compatriot’s arrival at the club, insisting that he has had a positive impact and the club has a great chance of securing a top four position this season.
“Jurgen Klopp does have a winning mentality, he is hungry for titles.” he added. “And the way we work is that if we believe it, we have the ability to win a match.”
“We want to play in the Champions League. With hard work, hopefully, we will get back into the top four. We have a good chance.”
