Emre Can happy to stay at Liverpool: 'We've had a few good meetings'

Emre Can is continuing to wear a smile at Anfield after a calf injury threatened to stall his career.

On Monday, Can admitted to having "a few good meetings" with Liverpool over a contract extension and denied reports which, according to the Guardian's Ed Aarons, claimed he was demanding a salary of £100,000 per week. Although the versatile midfielder is yet to put pen to paper on a new contract, he stresses his recovery from a calf injury is more important than striking a deal.

"I read in newspapers it was about the money but it isn't about the money," Can said. "We've had a few good meetings and everything is fine. Everything is fine and I just wanted to say it is never about the money. It is about the future, what happens. The last few months the most important thing has been that I am pain-free and we have spoken more about that than the contract.

"We will speak in the next few weeks and months and see what happens. I want to play injury-free. The meetings are with my agent but I am very happy at Liverpool. In the future I can play for many years at Liverpool."

Can joined Liverpool from Bayer 04 Leverkusen in 2014 for a reported transfer fee of £10 million. The native of Germany is reportedly earning £35,000 per week, and Reza Fazeli, his representative, apparently first held talks regarding a contract extension last year, but they were put on hold on due to the player's calf injury. The Reds are allegedly eager to keep him at Anfield amid interest from Juventus, and discussions will continue in the coming weeks.

"I know I could do much better in the past," Can said. "I've had a few problems, calf problems, but I kept going and I played. Maybe it was not good that I played and did not have a break but the last few weeks were better and I feel strong again. I know when I am fit and pain-free I am confident enough I know what I am going to do.

"I've had calf problems for many years and it has been very difficult for me because I've played out of position, which means more sprints, and 10 minutes into the game I've not been able to feel my feet in a few games. I didn't like to go to the press and say: 'I am injured.' I didn't play well when it was my opportunity to play and it was my mistake. I play in a different position now and I don't sprint too much. Last week was good, against Burnley was good and I was pain-free.

"I feel good. I have to come back to the old Emre because when I am fit I know what I am able to do and I am confident enough to know I can play much better than in the past."

Can scored the winning goal in Liverpool's 2-1 Premier League victory over Burnley on Sunday, drilling a 25-yard shot past Tom Heaton in the 61st minute. He was subsequently named the man of the match.