According to James Pearce of the Liverpool Echo, Jurgen Klopp believes that Emre Can’s delayed contract negotiations with the Merseyside club has nothing to do with the midfielder’s poor run of form. The former Borussia Dortmund boss is also keen to keep his countrymen.

The midfielder’s current contract runs out at the end of next campaign but his representatives are stuttering to strike a new deal to keep him at Anfield even longer.

“Maybe if he didn’t know what I think it would affect him but he knows what I want,” Klopp said.

Asked if Can remained part of his long-term plans, Klopp added: “I speak to the players, not the press.

“If I say yes it puts pressure on the club to do it immediately. If I say no the player thinks I do not want him any more.

“Emre knows exactly what we want. That’s the only thing that matters.”

The German international has looked absolutely abject this season. His unhealthy blend of wayward passes, wrong-timed tackles and knack of getting into the referee’s notepad is nothing but uncompromising. Three goals and a single assist are not the return Liverpool are expecting from a player they signed for £10 million from Bayer Leverkusen in 2014.

With no league win since the start of 2017, Liverpool are in desperate need of a lift and such performances from a regular starter are certainly hindrance than help.

On the other hand, Can did admit his personal disappointment over his form in the current season and has vowed to use the remaining matches to prove his worth yet again.

Can was one of many under-performers from Klopp’s side who were humbled 2-0 by Hull City away from home on Saturday. The visitors were made to pay for their lack of care at the back and lack of ideas up front. Klopp’s tactics are turning into a recipe for disaster as opponents are happy to drop deep and defend in numbers and surge on a counter-attack – a template that commonly works against Liverpool. It’s no longer blips, it’s a huge problem for the club, as their top four hopes are on the line.

The 23-year-old seems to be more of a doer than a thinker. Initially, he was hailed as a future leader and now such claims have faded away. In many occasions, his decision-making and unnecessary fouls prove that he is still struggling to bridge the gap between an understudy and first-teamer.

Klopp also stated that the hiccups in the contract talks are because of Can’s ongoing injury to his club.

“Emre has for the first time had no problems with his calves,” Klopp added.

“We need him. In different parts of the game he is really consistent for us, and Chelsea was his best game for a few weeks, that is for sure.

“He has this calf issue which we are still looking into and trying to find out why. Is it his back? Is it his ankle?

“It lets him stay on the pitch but it makes him struggle a little bit. We could have said ‘stay off for two or three weeks’, but we don’t have a lot of options.

“We’ve tried to work on this while he is playing. It would be nice if we have now found the exact reason and the solution. Everyone could see the difference when he’s able to play without issues.”

At present, Emre Can’s future discussions are waning away as Klopp has taken the centre stage as he is struggling to offer a silver bullet to turn fortunes around for the Reds. Keeping faith in the same 4-3-3 formation with no tactical plans to outsmart opponents who play with their backs to the walls are costing his team week in week out.

Do you want Can to pen a new deal with Liverpool?