You'll have plenty to celebrate when you subscribe to the Liverpool FC newsletter Sign me up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Emre Can was always facing an uphill task on his arrival at Liverpool.

He came possessing a strong pedigree having progressed through the Bayern Munich ranks to the first team and then making an impact at Bayer Leverkusen.

It was a path similar to that of Dietmar Hamann who, having started at Bayern, turned up at Anfield via Newcastle United and was soon embraced by the Kop as one of their own.

Can was handed the number 23 jersey, a shirt worn previously by only two Liverpool players - bona fide legends in Robbie Fowler and Jamie Carragher.

And his position in central midfield instantly saw him earmarked as the long-term successor to another Reds hero, Steven Gerrard.

No pressure, Emre.

Thankfully, self-belief has never been an issue for Can. But even he must have had moments of doubt as he ploughed through the misery of Liverpool’s post-title challenge blues under Brendan Rodgers.

Can struggled to win over the critics, not least your columnist.

Too often, his game was a case of style over substance. Yes, it looked nice on occasions. And those backheels were great for the cameras.

But what did Can actually do?

Now, as one of several players to have been taken under the wing of Jurgen Klopp and given a reassuring hug, he is consistently delivering a compelling answer to that question.

Can does a lot. An awful lot.

In both Europa League matches against Manchester United, and the recent double header against Manchester City, Can was arguably the most effective central midfielder on each occasion.

No mean feat, given the opposition ranged from Yaya Toure to Marouane Fellaini’s elbows.

Can has added purpose to his play, discipline to his deep-lying central midfield role, and a greater sense of position.

He’ll never be the quickest, but he’s increasingly becoming the right man in the right place, leading the charge in Klopp’s high-pressing, high-intensity engine room.

Even his backheels, such as at the Etihad in November and Old Trafford on Thursday, are now for a reason.

Readily overlooked is the fact skipper Jordan Henderson’s absence for large parts of the season has accelerated Can’s progress. In retrospect, this has been a campaign for him to either sink or swim.

Such is his mature appearance and confidence, it’s easy to forget Can turned 22 only in January.

The German still has a long way to go. There remain rough edges - his ambitious distribution must be reined in on occasion - but they are gradually being smoothed.

He also needs to weigh in with more goals.

But if Can can change the mind of this column, then believe us - anything is now possible.

Consistency required over chants

Last week, this column stuck its head above the parapet and joined the debate sparked by chants from Manchester United fans at Anfield in the Europa League tie.

The feedback was universal in agreeing attempting to use the loss of human life to score points over bitter rivals was simply wrong.

Some, though, weren't listening.

And now UEFA have hit Liverpool with the charge of their fans airing illicit chants at Old Trafford on Thursday.

Sadly, we know quite well what was said. Action is necessary.

But if UEFA can retrospectively punish footballers, then they should do the same with supporters.

United deserve to be hit with the same charge of illicit chanting given what occurred seven days earlier, chants heard around this country and beyond.

Consistency is required. Otherwise, there’s a very real danger UEFA could be accused of prioritising one tragedy over another.

Widnes do a Leicester - but they were world champions once

So, the Leicester City effect comes to rugby league.

Just as the Foxes have confounded expectations by still leading from the front, so Widnes are staying atop in the embryonic stages of Super League.

Similar to Leicester, the Vikings had to scrap to ensure their survival in the top flight last season having been forced into the new Qualifying Super Eight.

Now they are taking on all comers, not least on Thursday when they inflicted a first home league defeat in 21 months on Wigan.

Widnes were once the best team in the world. And while they may well fall away as the season progresses, it’s refreshing to see an old name in a new place.