Rodgers: Can has 'big future'

Cape Town - German midfielder Emre Can played at centre-back for Liverpool against Burnley, and impressed manager Brendan Rodgers with his performance and potential.

The 20-year-old replaced Kolo Toure in the centre of the Red's defence in the 1-0 win on Boxing Day and helped his side keep a clean sheet at Turf Moor.

"Emre has a big future here," Football411 quotes Rodgers as saying. "It was curtailed a bit in the summer when he was trying to get his fitness but had an ankle issue which meant he was in and out of training.

"Emre has great athleticism and has presence on the pitch and is an outstanding footballer. He is young and still acclimatising to the game here."

Rodgers can now consider the Germany Under-21 international for his midfield or defence, as Liverpool look to climb into the top half of the table in 2015.

"Emre coming on at Burnley gave us assurance and physicality. He is someone whose influence as the season goes on will be greater," Rodgers continued.

"His favourite position is more defensive. He likes to be in that central role and look to contain the game and challenge and be strong in the duel."

Liverpool welcome Swansea City to Anfield on Monday night before hosting Leicester on January