Emre Can Likely To Feature Against Derby

Liverpool generally enjoyed the last evening out in the League Cup, comfortably disposing of their Championship challengers Burton Albion 5-0. The one major blemish to that perfect night of football was when midfielder Emre Can limped off the pitch after going down without contact.

We later discovered that he had re-injured the ankle that was giving him fits toward the end of last season, and that he would be sidelined for a few of weeks re-recovering. Now it seems as if the young German international is due to make his return in the upcoming round of the League Cup.

“Emre is in training and when he is in training he is available,” Jürgen Klopp said in his pre-match presser. “I took him aside last week to do some specific work with him because he didn’t have a perfect pre-season. It is four weeks since Burton so he is available and now he can collect match time. How much? Will he start? No decision yet.”

Along with new goalkeeper Loris Karius returning to action tonight, this is excellent news for a squad that started the new season in the same way they finished the last—by packing the physio room with injured players.

Whether Can starts or not appears to be a game time decision, but his availability in midfield provides an immediate boost in both quality and tactical flexibility going forward.