LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, May 21, 2017: Liverpool's Emre Can in action against Middlesbrough during the FA Premier League match at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Emre Can return date confirmed with midfielder set to complete Liverpool pre-season squad

Emre Can will return to Melwood on Saturday to begin his pre-season preparations after international commitments delayed his return.

Can is the last player to return this summer, having been involved in the Confederations Cup with Germany, which ended on July 2.

He got the minimum three-week break after that and has spent his time in the United States and Turkey, but is now in line to head back to Merseyside to rejoin his teammates.

Liverpool have confirmed that Can is booked in for initial tests on Saturday, before beginning training on Sunday and then linking up with the rest of the squad on Monday.

This will see the midfielder included in Jurgen Klopp‘s squad for the tour of Germany, which begins at the end of the month.

The Reds take on Hertha Berlin at the Olympiastadion on July 29, before heading to Munich for the Audi Cup at the Allianz Arena, training 30 miles outside of the city.

Klopp’s side will face Bayern Munich (August 1) and one of Atletico Madrid or Napoli (August 2) before rounding off pre-season against Athletic Bilbao in Dublin (August 5).

Can should benefit from this concentrated burst of fixtures, as he works towards full fitness ahead of 2017/18.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, March 12, 2017: Liverpool's Emre Can celebrates scoring the second goal against Burnley during the FA Premier League match at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

There remains speculation over Can’s long-term future at Anfield, with the No. 23 yet to sign an extension to a contract that currently expires next summer, but a new deal is expected to be announced soon.

Retaining Can’s services should be a priority for the Reds this summer, particularly in the light of their so-far failed attempt to sign RB Leipzig midfielder Naby Keita.

Liverpool saw their second bid for the 22-year-old, worth around £66 million, rejected this week, with the Bundesliga club adamant Keita won’t be leaving the Red Bull Arena.

Klopp has Jordan Henderson, Adam Lallana, Georginio Wijnaldum, Philippe Coutinho, Marko Grujic, Ovie Ejaria and Ben Woodburn as his other midfield options, but Can boasts a unique skillset.

He shouldn’t be expected to hit the ground running on returning for pre-season, after his third consecutive summer at a competitive international tournament.

But having Can back involved will be a boost for Klopp, as he builds for a successful campaign.

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