Liverpool claimed fourth spot in the Premier League thanks in no small part to a run of form that yielded eight victories and just one defeat in their final 12 games of last term.
Midfielder Can played a key role in that sequence, too, starting each of those dozen matches and scoring two vital winning goals against Burnley at Anfield and, unforgettably, Watford at Vicarage Road.
However, the Germany international sees room for improvement both on an individual and collective basis as the Reds look to carry the positive momentum of 2016-17 into the upcoming season.
“It’s a big season [for me] and I think it’s a big season for the team as well. Last season we did quite well but we could do better, so we will try to do it better this year and push on,” Can told Liverpoolfc.com at the team’s training base in Rottach-Egern.
“Myself, I want to push on as well and I want to have good confidence and play a good season.
“Last season was not my best season, to be honest. It was difficult for me at the beginning with a few calf problems and everything, but at the end of the season I felt very good, I think I played OK and I want to push on and go in with that feeling at the start of the season.”
A fruitful summer on the international stage followed a successful end to last season at club level, and Can believes his participation in Germany’s Confederations Cup triumph will only benefit his development.
“It was a very proud moment and it was my first international trophy,” the No.23, who made his first appearance of pre-season in Saturday’s 3-0 win over Hertha BSC, reflected.
“I think we did very well as a team there and nobody expected we would win that cup. We played with such a young team and we were very happy.
“It’s always nice to play for your country and I played against top players, top countries. Everybody enjoyed it and I learned a lot and got a lot of experience.
“If you win a trophy you get confidence. I got confidence and now I want to go into the season with confidence.”