Kolo: Youngster Emre is already a leader
Kolo Toure is backing Emre Can to become a key figure at Liverpool over the coming years – and insists he's already spotted clear leadership potential in the young German.
Since arriving from Bayer Leverkusen last summer, Can has racked up 29 appearances for the Reds despite being used only sparingly throughout the early months of his Anfield career.
The 21-year-old picked up an injury while on international duty with Germany U21s in September, which kept him sidelined up until a starting berth at Queens Park Rangers in mid-October.
However, a regular place in the Reds' XI was by no means guaranteed - and it was only after Swansea City on December 29, when Can started as part of a three-man defence, that the former Bayern Munich man became a mainstay.
Since that date he has figured predominantly as a defender while shifting effortlessly into a number of other positions for the side - and his progress so far has delighted teammate Toure.
"Emre is a top player," the Ivorian told the Liverpool Echo. "He has been playing outstandingly at the back and in midfield he is a very strong player. We like him here.
"He is from Germany and German players are really good and I am not surprised about how well he's doing. They learn football at an early age and they are really intelligent, tactically outstanding and are really strong.
"I am not surprised how he has been doing because he has been working hard in training and he is a top professional. He is a young player but really good."
Brendan Rodgers has lavished Can with praise recently while the man from Frankfurt has begun to forge a rapport with the home crowd thanks to his clinical and composed displays.
The No.23's passing repertoire from a deeper role has thrilled spectators and prompted his manager to speak of him adding a new dimension to Liverpool's approach.
Reds assistant boss Colin Pascoe also pinpointed the youngster's burgeoning leadership skills during a press conference in February - and Toure was keen to elaborate on how Can has been getting his message across in recent months.
"He is a leader," said the 33-year-old. "When you are on the pitch you can see by the way he plays he is really confident and he talks on the pitch as well.
"There is no doubt this boy is going to be a king here definitely because he is a top player and can make a difference in games. He can score goals and his work-rate is amazing - there is no better player."