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Brendan Rodgers believes the rise of Emre Can embodies what the Liverpool boss is trying to achieve at Anfield.

The young German midfielder, who will get his first taste of the Merseyside derby at Goodison on Saturday, has been one of the Reds’ standout performers in recent weeks.

Can has blossomed since being used as a centre-back and Rodgers believes the £10million Liverpool paid Bayer Leverkusen for him last summer is already starting to look like small change.

The manager’s brief from owners Fenway Sports Group is to invest in potential rather than proven talent.

And Rodgers believes Can will become the latest youngster in his ranks to make the leap from rough diamond to polished gem.

“I think £10million will prove to be a bargain for Emre,” Rodgers told the ECHO.

“That’s the nature of the model here. We look to bring in players who we can develop.

“Look at Daniel Sturridge. We bought him for £12million. What would Daniel be worth now?

“Philippe Coutinho, £8million, what’s his value? What would Raheem Sterling be worth?

“They come into a real coaching environment here and it’s my job to make them better players. That’s all you can do as a coach and a manager and then the performances will follow.

“Emre is a big talent. He’s also a great learner and very good tactically for a young player. He has a big future ahead of him.”

WATCH: James Pearce talk about Emre Can

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Can is continuing an education which began at Bayern Munich’s acclaimed Academy.

He joined them from his hometown club Eintracht Frankfurt at the age of 15 and three years later he made his first-team debut.

Competing with the likes of Bastian Schweinsteiger, Javi Martinez and Luiz Gustavo meant his game time was limited and in 2013 he opted to sign for Leverkusen in search of regular first-team football.

His performances last season caught the eye of Rodgers, who watched him extensively before Liverpool secured his services last June. They had to move quickly to take advantage of a release clause in the player’s contract.

Bayern Munich urged Can to stay put for 12 months until their buyback option could be triggered in 2015 but Rodgers had already sold him his vision.

“Emre had been on the radar for a while,” he said.

“The scouts did a great job identifying him as a potential young player who could come in and develop here.

“I travelled to Germany a few times last year with (chief scout) Barry Hunter to have a look at him.

“A lot of work went on behind the scenes. He was a top young talent coming through the system in Germany. He was always one who was leading the challenge and being pushed on.

“Look at his pedigree, Bayern Munich was a great place to start. He only left there because he was a young player who wanted to go out and play.

“Once I had travelled to Germany to sell this whole project then after that his people were pretty clear that he wanted to come.”

IN PICTURES: Liverpool train at Melwood ahead of the Merseyside Derby

Can’s versatility was part of the attraction of bringing him to Anfield.

“I went to watch him play against Hamburg last April,” Rodgers said.

“We were expecting him to play central midfield and when he came out he was at centre-half. He looked very accomplished that day.

“I like to have a midfield player who can fill in at centre-half when you have domination of the ball so he can start attacks.

“He enjoys the different roles. If you think of where he’s played already for us, he’s played as the right sided central defender, he’s played out wide in the 3-4-3, and he’s played in centre midfield.”

Can made just four starts before Christmas as his progress was hampered by calf and ankle injuries. However, since coming off the bench to replace Kolo Toure at Burnley on Boxing Day he has been ever present in a three-man backline.

In Can’s 10 successive starts, Liverpool have won six and drawn three, and conceded just seven goals.

“There was an adaptation period when he first came in,” Rodgers said.

“For a boy of 20 arriving in a new country with new people and a new language it wasn’t easy.

“He was unfortunate because in pre-season he got a couple of injuries and wasn’t quite up to speed. Some issues with his ankle meant he couldn’t train all the time.

“It was just a matter of picking the right time to put Emre in. Since he came on at Burnley, he has filled a gap for us defensively.

“He’s strong, aggressive and attacks the ball in the air. He gives good balance with the other two centre-halves.

“He can step in with the ball and create but he’s also aware of his defensive responsibilities. His composure is at a real good level.”

Rodgers still believes the 21-year-old’s long term future at Anfield will be as a combative midfielder but he’s in no rush to break up the defensive trio of Can, Mamadou Sakho and Martin Skrtel.

“I still think his future will be in central midfield but it’s one where the current structure is working very well for us with the team we have got,” he added.

“You’ve seen it in the last couple of games where I’ve tweaked it at times. He has started on the right side and then I’ve moved him into a central position. The demands of the game will determine where he plays. At this moment in time he’s looking very accomplished playing at the back.”

Having expertly handled the likes of Christian Benteke, Diego Costa and Andy Carroll in recent weeks, Can faces another big test against Romelu Lukaku at Goodison. Rodgers believes he will deliver again.

“Emre will embrace the challenge,” he said.

“He’s very calm and composed. We try to instil a lot of confidence into young players so that they can deal with big games and so their temperament is good.

“He’s relaxed and focused but aggressive with it. He can deal with all types. We saw him against Benteke, he was strong when he needed to be.

“It was the same against Andy Carroll. He’s still adapting to the physical demands of this league but he’s a big, strong boy who can cope with that.”

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