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Emre Can believes he can be Liverpool’s new midfield leader - but admits he is still “far off” the standards Steven Gerrard set in the role.

The young German returned late to Liverpool’s pre-season after a Euro 2016 campaign that saw him start for Germany in their semi-final against France.

The 22-year-old blossomed under Jurgen Klopp last year and is looking forward to a season where he feels the target must be to “win titles”.

Asked about his desire to be a midfield leader, Can said: “Yes of course. I have played a lot of games for Liverpool now and know I am still young but I have to show it on the pitch now.

“I can say I am a leader but you have to show it. Of course we have other leaders like Hendo or Milner. We all want to do it.

“I am like that. I want to be the one pushing the team on of course. As I said I want to show that to everyone.

“I have played plenty of games, I have played in the semi of the Euros and I am confident enough to say I want to go for it, I want to push the team on.”

Many feel Can can eventually develop into the kind of presence in the Liverpool midfield which Steven Gerrard once was but the player himself believes he’s not yet at that level.

“That’s of course a big, big honour. I have a lot of respect for him but I am far off that level he played for Liverpool. I have to go my own way, be Emre Can. I met him in Los Angeles, we have stayed in touch.”

Can certainly didn’t look out of place in that Euro 2016 semi-final against France which Germany dominated but would ultimately lose.

Nonetheless it’s an experience the former Bayer Leverkusen man believes has given him a boost in confidence.

“You feel great to play in big games like that, it’s what you work for, so my confidence is high. We have a very good team and we will see next season what it is but that target has to be to win titles.

“If you play for Liverpool the target always has to be winning titles and it will be the same next season.”

After a good first nine months under Klopp at Anfield and a positive experience in the Euros, could this be the first year we’ll see the real Emre Can?

“I think you did a bit last year but I want to be better each time and again that has to the case. I want more goals for example - always the target has to be improvement. “Everyone knows my relationship with klopp is very, very good, one of the best in the world for me. I think I took a step forward when he came and want to do that again.

“Everyone knows Klopp is a very emotional manager.”

Coach Pep Lijnders revealed “winning the fitness” as a key target for Liverpool this year and Can says the players want to be the best in the Premier League.

“It’s been a very, very tough pre season and our target is to be the fittest team in the league which is why we train so hard and do a lot of runs. It’s very important for us.

“Last season it (his fitness) was very, very good but this season I have only been here for three or four days and am not 100% but that’s normal and we still have two weeks to go.”

Can’s contract with the Reds runs until 2018 and normal club policy would indicate discussions soon on an extension but it is not something the player himself has any concerns about as he continues to enjoy his time at Anfield.

“I still have two years left. There have been no discussions yet. I am enjoying my time here.

"It’s a great club, like a family, I’m very happy to be here and still have two years left.”