Emre Can says Liverpool have no margin for error after slipping up against Crystal Palace

Posted Tuesday, April 25, 2017 by Skysports.com

Emre Can is targeting maximum points from Liverpool’s four remaining Premier League games to secure Champions League qualification.

Jurgen Klopp's side are currently third in the table, two and three points ahead of Manchester City and Manchester United respectively, but crucially have played two games more.

Liverpool slipped against Crystal Palace on Sunday as they lost 2-1 at Anfield and Can admits their defending left them down.

"Everyone is very disappointed because we should have won this game. We had the chances. It was stupid from us," midfielder Can said.

"All the set pieces in training we had done very well but again we concede a goal after a set piece. It was stupid.

"We can be disappointed after the game but from Monday we have to look forward.

"We have got to go again and it is still in our hands. If we win the last four games, we will reach the Champions League. That has to be the target. It has to be.

"Some of the other top teams will play against each other and we will give it our best."

With City and United set to face each other in the Manchester derby on Thursday, live on Sky Sports, one or both of Liverpool's top-four rivals will drop points this week.

And Can knows what result he is hoping for from the game at the Etihad Stadium: "Is a City win the better result (for Liverpool)? Then I am for City.

"One of the top teams will drop points and that is a good thing. We have to be there and in the next game against Watford we have to win again."

Adam Lallana is expected to be fit for Liverpool's trip to Vicarage Road to take on Watford live on Monday Night Football after missing a month with a thigh injury.

His return will come as a welcome relief for Klopp who remains without captain Jordan Henderson, forward Sadio Mane, Daniel Sturridge and Danny Ings and defender Ragnar Klavan.

The threadbare nature of Liverpool's squad at the moment was emphasised by the presence of teenagers Rhian Brewster, Ben Woodburn, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Joe Gomez on the bench against Palace but Can insists there can be no excuses.

"You can say that because when you look at the bench it is very young," said Can. "We miss a lot of our players, there are a lot of injuries. You should look at Chelsea. They are lucky with that, for example.

"We don't have luck with this but it is no excuse. We have to go again. We have to fight for our target."