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Liverpool's Emre Can says he is ready to step into a midfield position next season as the Anfield club look to fill the void left by departed captain Steven Gerrard. Can was initially hailed as a potential replacement for Gerrard when Liverpool signed him from Bayern Leverkusen last summer, but the 21-year-old made a big impression in his first season at the club in a defensive role. Now the German star believes he can step into the midfield role he prefers next season, with Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers clearly viewing Can as a long-term option in the heart of his team. "The manager talks all the time with me," Can told The Anfield Wrap podcast. "He sees me as a midfield player and I hope next year to be playing in midfield. "Of course he talks with me every day and says what I can do better. He helps my game. He wants to play football and that's what I want. That's why I came to Liverpool. I want to play in midfield and I can take the responsibility [of replacing Gerrard]." Can was one of the rare success stories of Liverpool's summer of spending a year ago, with the versatile performer confirming he enjoyed his first season in English football. "It was a big move of course, because it was the first time that I [left] Germany," he added. "It wasn't easy because I didn't speak the language so well but now I've improved my English it's a little bit better. "In the Premier League every game is a tough game and the bottom team can win against the top team. It's a lot stronger and faster. For me this is good because I don't like it if the ref is giving everything as a foul. "Me, I try to give my everything in every game and give 100 percent. That's what the fans see and it's a big honour for me that they love me and I love them -- they're great fans." Can made Premier League appearances in his first season at Liverpool, with his 40 appearances in all competitions confirming he become a key member of Rodgers' side in his debut campaign.
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