Jürgen Klopp has said he is optimistic the impasse over Emre Can’s new contract will be broken and the midfielder will commit his long-term future to Liverpool.
The Germany international enters the final 12 months of his current deal this summer having so far resisted signing a contract extension at Anfield. Despite failing to get an agreement after several months of talks, and the financial risk of allowing a player to enter his final year of contract, Liverpool are prepared to keep Can this summer regardless of whether he signs.
Can’s position in the Liverpool team rather than finances are understood to be behind the stand-off, with the 23-year-old keen to play a deeper midfield role. But Klopp is confident the midfielder, who enhanced Liverpool’s Champions League ambitions with a stunning winner at Watford on Monday, will eventually sign the deal on offer.
“After his bicycle kick probably everyone wants him to stay,” the Liverpool manager said. “I think it is no secret how much I like Emre. He likes the club and that is a completely normal situation. We are in talks and there is absolutely no pressure, it is all good. It is two partners with big respect for each other. If we can keep good players that makes sense for development and he is one of these good players. I am quite positive.”
As for that exquisite bicycle kick at Vicarage Road, Klopp added: “He’s watched it on the iPad about 250 times. The player scores a fantastic goal and we speak about him the week after. The goal was so important and so deserved. He is a hard-working boy, it was never any different. He always had a fantastic attitude which is what I liked most. The plan is to make a more simple goal in the next game. If you can do this it would make sense. Against Crystal Palace he had a chance with one of the best offensive moves we had and he hit the ball with his heel – that’s football. We have spoken about his calf issues and they are hopefully finally sorted, so that helps him.”
Philippe Coutinho limped out of the Watford game having suffered a dead leg but is on course to feature against Southampton at Anfield on Sunday. Klopp confirmed: “Yesterday was the first time for Phil running – he ran a bit like (goalkeeping coach) John Achterberg! Good news. We cannot be 100% sure but at this moment it looks rather positive.”