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Ben Woodburn stole the headlines. Trent Alexander-Arnold earned the plaudits. And Divock Origi snaffled another goal.

But there was another man for whom Liverpool's EFL Cup win over Leeds United last Tuesday sparked much chatter.

Depending on who you spoke to, Emre Can either provided the driving force behind the victory or further evidence why he isn't suited to the Reds' barnstorming attacking approach.

That, though, has always been the way for Can since arriving at Anfield in the summer of 2014.

He hasn't just polarised opinion in the stands. Can has also been treated very differently by those in the dugout.

Certainly, Brendan Rodgers couldn't make his mind up about the German.

Although bought as a central midfielder, Can was played almost anywhere but, showing promise on the right side of a defensive three only to then falter alarmingly at right-back.

Yet when Jurgen Klopp replaced Rodgers last October, one of his first acts was to restore Can into the engine room where he has remained ever since.

Detractors will point to Can not having the lightning pace of many of his team-mates. Nor does he possess quite the passing range and energy of fellow central midfielder Jordan Henderson.

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But Klopp is clearly a huge fan and trusts the player in a manner Rodgers – and, it must be said, a fair few supporters – do not.

Which is what makes the player's contract situation all the more intriguing.

Can has yet to sign a new long-term deal at the club, despite recently stating he saw his future at Anfield. He's now approaching the final 18 months of his current deal.

Amid all the debate over Can's influence, it's easy to overlook one key factor.

He's not even 23 yet. That makes him younger than Kevin Stewart, a player regarded as among those to have emerged from the Academy under Klopp.

Nevertheless, Can has already amassed more than 100 games for the Reds while appearing for Germany in this summer's European Championships.

The midfielder – and that's what he most definitely is under Klopp – is now adding goals and assists to his game, and will keep on improving.

Can also offers Liverpool's midfield a greater physical presence, something that isn't immediately apparent among the players around him.

The German has taken time after his Euro 2016 exertions to get back up to speed. And if Liverpool are to maintain their title challenge, Klopp will be putting his trust in Can – even if the player hasn't quite won over everybody just yet.

Southgate's ace up his sleeve

Good luck, then, to Gareth Southgate.

The new England boss was unveiled after passing his four-game audition if not with flying colours, then at least enough encouragement to suggest he's good enough for the job.

Southgate may lack the profile and track record of some of his recent predecessors, but he has a significant ace up his sleeve.

He's the first permanent England manager to have previously featured for his country during the Premier League goldfish bowl era.

Southgate can relate to his players in a way Roy Hodgson, Sam Allardyce, Fabio Capello and Steve McClaren could not.

And, as Allardyce discovered, with the job as much about portraying the right image, the new man has already demonstrated a flourish with the media.

Plus he has plentiful experience coaching England's under-21s.

Southgate is no fool. Expect him to surprise a few over the coming months and years.