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I Can't Make Decision for Emre Can - Admit Jurgen Klopp

Jurgen Klopp accepts Liverpool are powerless to stop Emre Can from leaving as Reds legend Steven Gerrard encourages the German midfielder to remain patient and stay at Anfield
Emre Can's Liverpool contract has not been extended and expires in the summer

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp accepted he is powerless to stop Emre Can's departure from the club after the German's man of the match performance against Huddersfield Town on Tuesday.

The German midfielder scored the opening goal in Yorkshire and showed his all-round quality as question marks around his future remain unanswered. 

But with Can insisting post-match that off-pitch matters are handled by his agent, Klopp reflected the club's weak bargaining position, with the midfielder's contract ready to expire in June.

'As long as people behave like Emre (Can) now – behaves and delivers - then everything is fine and normal in life,' Klopp told BT Sport after the win. 

'I said it a few times, sometimes you want to sell a player, sometimes you want to keep a player and that’s how it is. We can always make a big story in the world about it. 

'If we have to do it then we shake hands and say goodbye. And if he stays we don’t shake hands but say hello again. We will see.' 

But former Reds captain Steven Gerrard pushed far harder than Klopp for the midfielder to stay patient and remain at Anfield. 

'I think Liverpool have made him a better player and in Jurgen Klopp and his coaching staff I think they are perfect for him,' Gerrard said on BT Sport. 

'I can’t make decisions for Emre Can but for me, in his shoes, I would be a bit more patient with Liverpool and I would hang on. I think Liverpool – the club and the fans – have a lot of belief in him.' 

Can has been heavily linked with a move to both Juventus and Bayern Munich having seen his stock rise considerably in recent months in the Premier League.

He has made 28 appearances for Liverpool this season, scoring four. 

But despite possessing the ability to sign a pre-contract agreement with a club overseas this month, the midfielder has stalled all movement on any transfer and for Gerrard, he accepts that gives some supporters hope he has had a re-think. 

'I think you can see that he’s been asked the question many times and if he had decided he was going to stay at Liverpool, I think everyone would know that by now,' he said. 

'You still have that little bit of hope as a Liverpool fan that he might change his mind but for me, for it to go to the back end of January it’s a concern.'   

Can cut a frustrated figure alongside club captain Jordan Henderson when speaking after the game as he was forced to speak about his future once more. 

'Really I said 100 times I think, I have a contract here and I will give always what I have - the other things are between my agent,' he said in annoyance.