Juventus on alert as Liverpool encounter contract problems with midfielder

Emre Can’s long-term future at Liverpool has been cast into doubt after Liverpool refused to baulk to the player’s salary demands in fresh contract talks, reports The Daily Mirror.

The 23-year-old will only have 12 months remaining on his current £35,000-a-week deal in the summer and Liverpool are understandably keen to resolve his future before rival clubs can look to unsettle the midfielder.

However, contract talks already look to have done that with Can’s agent reportedly pushing to double his client’s current salary in a bid to make the Germany international one of the best paid players at the club.

Can, who has been linked with a move to Juventus, joined Liverpool from Bayer Leverkusen in a £10m deal three years ago but has struggled to establish himself as one of the first names on the teamsheet this season after an injury at the start of the campaign delayed his progress.

As a result, Can has been left to fight for a place in Liverpool’s midfield three with Georginio Wijnaldum that has limited the German to just 15 starts in the Premier League thus far.

With Can in the starting XI, Liverpool have only managed to win 40% of their league games compared to a 75% win rate when he has not been selected from the off.

For more stats on Emre Can, click here to visit his WhoScored player page