Can: I doubt I’ll ever score a goal that good again

Emre Can: Scores with a stunning overhead kick

Emre Can: Scores with a stunning overhead kick

Match-winner Emre Can believes Liverpool’s victory over Watford on Monday night was a “big, big step” to achieving their goal of returning to the Champions League.

The Germany international scored a memorable overhead kick in first-half stoppage-time as the Reds recorded a 1-0 victory at Vicarage Road to put their top-four fate in their own hands.

It was a largely forgettable contest with Can’s effort a rare moment of inspiration, although Watford could have stolen a point at the end when Sebastian Prodl slammed a volley against the crossbar.

The win for Jurgen Klopp’s side was made sweeter by the fact their rivals for a place in the Premier League’s top four dropped points over the weekend.

Manchester City and Manchester United were held by teams fighting it out at the bottom of the table while Arsenal were beaten by title-chasing Tottenham in Sunday’s north London derby.

That left the door open for Liverpool, who bounced back from defeat at home to Crystal Palace to tighten their grip on third place.

Now Can has backed the five-time European Cup winners to return to the Champions League for next season.

He told liverpoolfc.com: “It was a very, very big step.

“I think if we perform in the last three games how we can perform then we will win games and we will play in the Champions League.

“Our target is to play in the Champions League because with the quality of players that we have here and with a club like Liverpool, your target has to be to play in the Champions League. We will give our best.

“Of course, we knew before the game what happened [on Sunday], with the other results, and it was a big, big step for us.”

Emre Can: Celebrates his stunning winner v Watford

Can also admitted he may never score another goal like the one which secured victory at Watford, as he leapt acrobatically to volley home Lucas’ pinpoint pass.

“I didn’t think too much, to be honest,” he added.

“The ball came, a great ball from Lucas, and I just did it and I was happy the ball went in. I couldn’t do anything else there, because the ball was a little bit behind and I couldn’t head it.

“I didn’t think too much and then I scored and I think I will never score a goal like that again. It was a special goal but I’m very happy that we got the three points.”