Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher has called for manager Brendan Rodgers to put Emre Can in his original position as a midfielder next season as opposed to the defensive roles that he has been given.

The German Under-21 international signed for the Reds last summer as a midfielder, but he has been used as part of a three-man defence, as well as right-back, over the course of the season.

On the final day of the Premier League campaign on Sunday, Rodgers opted to play Can as right-back and the German struggled as Liverpool suffered a humiliating 6-1 defeat to Stoke City.

While Carragher believes that Can has talent, the ex-defender has urged Rodgers to utilise the player's midfield qualities next season.

On Facebook, Carragher wrote: "I criticised Emre Can against Chelsea in the semi-final of the Capital One Cup whilst working for Sky about his defending, especially when dragged out to wide areas from his right centre-back role, which was shown in the penalty he conceded to Eden Hazard.

"He'd been playing well in that role in terms of bringing the ball out of defence as he's very confident on the ball, but he struggles with quick movement around him with or without the ball - that's highlighted more at right-back as he has to defend more 1v1 there than when playing right centre back.

"In recent weeks and against Crystal Palace last week and Stoke today he's found it tough, he's been one of the highlights at times of a difficult season for all but next season I'm hoping we see more of him in midfield."

As a result of the game at the Britannia Stadium, Liverpool dropped from fifth to sixth in the table.