Liverpool will be without Emre Can against Leicester City
Liverpool fans may not immediately think of Emre Can as one of their most important players, but the German international is vital for their success. The simple truth is, the Reds don’t have another defensive midfielder who can replicate what he does for the club every week.
That’s why Jurgen Klopp’s admission that Can will miss out this weekend against the Foxes is so troubling. There was some hope that Can could return after resting during the International Break, but his manager has ruled him out of this weekend’s match altogether.
Liverpool have enjoyed a strong offensive start to the Premier League campaign, but their defense has been severely lacking. Klopp is still trying to find the right combination to play as his back four. That group has shouldered a great deal of blame for their defensive woes thus far.
The club’s struggles in the defensive midfield have also been a huge problem. Jordan Henderson struggles to control the center of the pitch on his own, and Klopp really doesn’t have another defensive minded option to deploy beside him. That’s the spot where Can is supposed to excel.
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As a result, Klopp faces a tough tactical choice for the Leicester match. While he’d like to add some defensive steel to his midfield, his roster doesn’t afford him that choice. The most likely “solution” is to start Henderson in the middle, and allow Adam Lallana and Georginio Wijnaldum to flank him in the midfield three. Lallana shows a decent work rate, but Wijnaldum could really struggle to contribute on the defensive side of the pitch.
The upside for Liverpool is that Leicester will be happy to let them enjoy the lion’s share of possession. The introduction of Wijnaldum into the starting XI could help the team break down the compact Fox defense. His foot speed could even be a plus if the Reds are chasing Leicester on the counter.
The downside, of course, is that Wijnaldum isn’t likely to break up play in the middle of the park. When Leicester do win the ball back in the middle of the pitch, they should find an easy path to transition it ahead to their pacey forwards. It could very well mean additional scoring opportunities for Jamie Vardy and Ahmed Musa.
Liverpool will attempt to rely on the energy of the Anfield crowd to overwhelm Leicester in a wave of emotion. They’ll need an offensive outburst to beat the Foxes. Without Emre Can, their defense is unlikely to be up to par.
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