Liverpool ace Emre Can wins more tackles than any other Premier League player at the weekend

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Emre Can impressed for Liverpool despite their loss to Crystal Palace.

Emre Can was a shining light for Liverpool in their surprise home loss to Crystal Palace.

The Eagles were 3-1 victors in a match overshadowed by Steven Gerrard’s farewell to the Anfield crowd, with attackers Yannick Bolasie, Jason Puncheon and Wilfried Zaha a constant threat.

Can lined up in defence as he has done on a frequent basis this season, and won eight tackles.

This was not only more than any player on the pitch – it was more than any Premier League player over the weekend.

The willingness of Palace’s attackers to take Liverpool and Emre Can on perhaps played a part in this, but the summer signing was only too willing to mop up when he could.

In addition to being the highest number of tackles this weekend, it was also the highest figure made by a Liverpool player in a single Premier League game this season, a category he has in part dominated.

Can was bought as a defensive midfielder but has thrived as part of a three man defence.

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers has a big decision to make in the summer whether to bring Can into midfield to try and fill the void left by Steven Gerrard, or play him in defence next season.

If he decides to play him in the role originally intended, he will need to make a move to sign a quality defender in the transfer market – with better success than he had when he signed Dejan Lovren a year ago.

Either way, Liverpool fans should be pleased they have at least one player in Emre Can who can be relied upon wherever he plays.