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Early season Liverpool player power rankings

By Chad Dingman

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 29: Jurgen Klopp, Manager of Liverpool celebrates his team's victory following the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Liverpool at Selhurst Park on October 29, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Ian Walton/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 29: Jurgen Klopp, Manager of Liverpool celebrates his team's victory following the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Liverpool at Selhurst Park on October 29, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Ian Walton/Getty Images) /
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LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 06: Emre Can of Liverpool celebrates scoring his sides third goal during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Watford at Anfield on November 6, 2016 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 06: Emre Can of Liverpool celebrates scoring his sides third goal during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Watford at Anfield on November 6, 2016 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) /

12. Emre Can

Backup midfielder to start the season, Can has made his case in the past few weeks starting in place on Georginio Wijnaldum. Can is a serviceable option, but he hasn’t shown the potential that Wijnaldum has. Like Wijnaldum, Can has had to adjust to a new position. Usually used in a deeper role and as a physical threat, we know what he brings to the team.

He can still be physical in a more advanced role, but his weaknesses have shown, including his passing ability which is just a shade above 80%. While he has scored two goals this season in limited minutes, you can’t rely on him for consistent production, so he will likely be on the bench for most of the season.

Can’s goal scoring has been one of the most bizarre twists of the Liverpool season so far, as he has scored a goal in two straight games. Two goals in 401 minutes is great for a player who has only scored more than once in a full season just once. When even Emre Can is scoring goals, you know things are going right. Will it continue? Of course not, but maybe Can in this advanced position is better than we all had thought and he can provide offensively better than we had all expected?

He has now started four straight, and looks to have made an impression on Klopp during that time. His position looks to be the only one up for grabs at this point, and I’m sure Can will get a significant portion of game time going forward even if Wijnaldum is preferred over him in the majority of matches.

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