Germany international Emre Can has cleared the air, explaining that he didn’t leave Liverpool because of problems with manager Jurgen Klopp.

Can, 24, left for Juventus on a free transfer after failing to agree to terms over a new deal at Anfield. And the former Bayern Munich youngster, who left Liverpool after four years, has told the Liverpool ECHO that he moved to Juventus due to a childhood ambition.

“I had problems with Klopp? No, I had no problems with Klopp. I had a very good relationship with him,” Can told reporters as he was unveiled as a Juventus player in a press conference.

“At the end he wished me all the best here. I never had problems with Klopp.

“I had a lot of offers from very good teams.

“I decided to come to Juventus because I think the project here is very big. They have very big aims. I want to be part of the project here.

“I am really happy to be here. I know how Juventus play, I watched a lot of the games last season. One of my biggest idols was Zidane who played here too.

“My first manager when I started to play football was a huge Juventus fan. When I was six or seven he told me that one day I’d play for Juventus. Now I am here and it’s a cool story.”

Can, who made 167 appearances in all competitions for the Reds, also claimed that he joined the Serie A champions to win titles and that the club have been in contact with his agent for many years.

It is indeed a shame to lose a player of Can’s quality, particularly when he had improved leaps and bounds last season. He had his injury problems but when fully fit, the German was a midfield panzer for us, dictating the tempo of the game while creating chances and scoring goals.

However, we have replaced Can with Fabinho, who has joined us after a couple of good seasons with AS Monaco. Also, the Reds have finally landed Naby Keita which definitely softens the blow.

In all fairness, Fabinho is a straight upgrade to Can and will bring a lot more physicality and steel to our midfield. Keita, on the other hand, would add creativity and energy that was lost, following Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s injury.

Read more: Liverpool make contact with new midfield target after his £40m price tag has been halved

Let’s hope Fabinho and Keita gel in quickly with their teammates and help us challenge for the title next season.