Liverpool told us Emre Can will replace Steven Gerrard - Germany Under-21 coach Horst Hrubesch

Emre Can will take Steven Gerrard's former role in the heart of Liverpool's midfield, according to Germany Under-21 coach Horst Hrubesch.

Gerrard brought a close to his 17-year career at Anfield at the end of the 2014-15 season, leaving the club to join LA Galaxy in the MLS.

His departure leaves a gaping home in Brendan Rodgers' midfield, sparking speculation as to who the club will sign this summer in an attempt to fill the void left by their former skipper.

But according to Hrubesch, Liverpool have already decided that Can, who was deployed in a defensive role last season, will be moved back to a central position to take the role.

Speaking ahead of Germany's clash with Serbia in their opening game of the Under-21 European Championships, Hrubesch was quoted as saying by German publication TZ: "I've only just been in Liverpool. There it has been confirmed to us that Emre is going to take over from Gerrard in midfield.

"Emre definitely has leadership qualities."

Can, signed from Bayer Leverkusen for a reported fee of £9.8m last summer, was initially brought in as a midfielder but spent most of the season in a back three after Rodgers altered his tactics halfway through the season.

The Germany Under-21 international initially thrived in the role but is hopeful of getting more chances in a midfield berth next season.

"[Brendan] talks all the time with me," Can told The Anfield Wrap podcast in early June. "He sees me as a midfield player and I hope next year to be playing in midfield.

"Of course he talks with me every day and says what I can do better. He helps my game. He wants to play football and that's what I want. That's why I came to Liverpool."