Emre Can insists money is not a factor as he shelves Liverpool contract talks until the summer
Can has 12 months remaining on his current deal
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Liverpool’s Emre Can has insisted that he is not trying to drive a bigger salary out of Liverpool and that his contract talks are on hold until the end of the season, despite the club’s struggle to agree terms amid suggestions that he is seeking £100,000-a-week.
The 23-year-old will enter the final 12 months of his contract this summer and has also been struggling to hold down a regular place in the starting XI when Jordan Henderson is fit. But Can – who scored Liverpool’s winner in an otherwise unconvincing performance in Sunday’s win over Burnley – said that money was not a motivating factor for him.
“It isn't about money,” he said. “We've had a few good meetings and everything is fine. I am happy at Liverpool. You never know what will happen in football but I am happy here.
"I am happy and I am still contracted here. Everything is fine and I just wanted to say it is never about the money. It is about the future, what happens. The last few months the most important thing has been that I am pain-free and we have spoken more about that than the contract.
“We will speak in the next few weeks and months and see what happens. I want to play injury-free. The meetings are with my agent but I am very happy at Liverpool. In the future I can play for many years at Liverpool."
Jamie Carragher, the former Liverpool player and Sky Sports analyst, has called into question Can’s performances and long-term future. "His big problem is that I don’t think he’s a versatile player but he’s played in four or five positions for Liverpool,” he said. “The only position I think he can play is the one he played [against Burnley], the sitting midfielder, because he needs legs around him. [Klopp] is playing Jordan Henderson ahead of him.
“I think he may have 12 months at the end of the season, and there is a good chance he may not be here next season."
Can’s manager Jurgen Klopp said on Sunday that the German’s calf problems had impeded him. "I know I could do much better in the past,” said the player. “I've had a few problems, calf problems, but I kept going and I played. Maybe it was not good that I played and did not have a break but the last few weeks were better and I feel strong again.
“I know when I am fit and pain-free I am confident enough I know what I am going to do. I've had calf problems for many years and it has been very difficult for me because I've played out of position which means more sprints and 10 minutes into the game I've not been able to feel my feet in a few games.
“I didn't like to go to the press and say 'I am injured'. I didn't play well when it was my opportunity to play and it was my mistake. I play in a different position now and I don't sprint too much. Last week was good, against Burnley was good and I was pain-free.”
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