Colin Pascoe: Can be Liverpool leader

Liverpool assistant manager Colin Pascoe believes Emre Can could be a future club captain but, in the short term, may just have to settle with assuming Steven Gerrard’s midfield role.

Gerrard is awaiting results of a scan on a hamstring problem which could keep him sidelined for a fortnight and with Lucas Leiva already out for between four and six weeks with a thigh problem, the side are looking light in central midfield ahead of tomorrow’s visit to Crystal Palace (5.30pm kick-off).

Can, who arrived from Bayer Leverkusen in the summer as a midfielder but has adapted to defensive role in a back three, stepped in briefly in midweek when Gerrard went off in the win over Tottenham.