Rodgers: How Emre's helped solidify us
Brendan Rodgers today moved to praise the role Emre Can has played in Liverpool's outstanding form of recent weeks.
The 21-year-old has been a regular in the Reds' back three since being introduced into the position as a substitute at Burnley on Boxing Day.
Despite primarily being a midfielder by trade, Can has made a seamless transition into defence and impressed while operating alongside Martin Skrtel and Mamadou Sakho.
The former Bayer Leverkusen star demonstrated another side of his qualities in Liverpool's 2-1 win at Bolton Wanderers on Wednesday night, supplying a sumptuous over-the-top-pass to allow Raheem Sterling to score.
"He's really helped solidify the team and given real good balance to the side," Rodgers told journalists at Melwood.
"His positional sense for a young player is very, very good. He's got a great view of the game, understands the game tactically very well, he's strong and has got good stature.
"I always like to have at least one midfield player in my squad who I know can play from behind as well. Emre can do that.
"I'd seen him before playing at centre-half in a four, so I know he is comfortable to play in that position.
"He's offered real good balance, is tactically very good for such a young player and in the future will go on and show he's a top midfield player also."
Rodgers also had words of praise for another youngster, Jordan Ibe, who he recalled from a loan spell at Derby Country in January.
The 19-year-old has made two substitute appearances for Liverpool since returning and the boss confirmed fans should expect to see him getting regular game time over the remainder of the season.
"We brought him back because with the system we're playing he can probably play in four of the positions, so there's a greater chance for him to play," explained Rodgers.
"We felt for the first six months of the season he needed to go out, play games and play consistently. He went with Steve [McClaren] at Derby and he's a very, very good coach.
"They play very good football and Jordon got a good tactical understanding of the game when he was out [on loan].
"I felt it was the ideal time to bring him back. He's matured really well - it's just been unfortunate he hasn't been able to play in the cup games.
"He'll certainly come into the squad for the weekend and whether he starts or comes off the bench as he has done in a couple of the games, he's got an incredible talent. It's my job, along with the staff, to nurture that over the coming years, like we have done with the other young players."