Nuri Sahin: Why the Turk will be a hit at Anfield

MADRID, SPAIN – DECEMBER 20: Nuri Sahin of Real Madrid looks on during the round of last 16 Copa del Rey second leg match between Real Madrid and Ponferradina at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on December 20, 2011 in Madrid, Spain.

After a long saga with many twists and turns, Liverpool have finally landed Real Madrid midfielder Nuri Sahin on an one-year loan deal. Despite strong interest from Arsenal, Liverpool offered a supreme money package and agreed a deal.

The Player of the Year in Bundesliga in the 2010/11 season didn’t have the best of seasons at Real Madrid, managing only 8 starts in all competitions due to injury problems and lack of fitness and form.

Although his 1st season at Real Madrid was less than impressive it was his time at Borussia Dortmund where he proved to be a top class midfielder, helping Borussia win the league title in 2011 with 6 goals and 8 assists in 30 appearances.

This signing is, in many ways, a very good piece of business from the Reds. Sahin is a top class midfielder and, although it´s only a loan deal, proves Liverpool are still capable of luring top players. It also shows the ambition Brendan Rodgers has for this season in which he obviously plans a charge on the top 4.

Sahin will most likely play in Rodgers’ standard midfield 3 alongside Lucas and Joe Allen. That midfield trio has everything a top midfield should have. A strong defensive midfielder who can retain and recycle the ball in Lucas, a top passer of the ball in Allen and a player who likes to run with the ball in Sahin.

I believe that a midfielder like Sahin was crucial for Liverpool this summer. Liverpool now have a complete midfielder that can control any game and it also takes the burden off Steven Gerrard who no longer has to carry the team week in week out.