What to expect from Nuri Sahin?

By Chris Linnell

On the weekend, Liverpool confirmed an agreement with Real Madrid to sign midfielder Nuri Sahin on a season-long loan deal, beating off competition from Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal.

Sahin is the fourth new arrival at Anfield this summer, following Joe Allen, Fabio Borini and Oussama Assaidi.

The Turkey international moved to Madrid last summer after helping Borussia Dortmund secure the German championship and being named as the Bundesliga’s Player of the Season.

Sahin is more famed for his time with the German champions than anything he’s achieved at the Bernabeu.

Since moving to Madrid has struggled with various injuries and has made only four league appearances under Jose Mourinho.

The long-standing injuries aside, Sahin was a long-term recruit for the Special One. A year-long loan spell in the English Premier League will be ideal for the Turkish midfielder who needs to continue to play competitive football.

Despite being just 23, Sahin is hugely experienced for his age with 31 international appearances for Turkey, over 150 games for Dortmund and a season-long loan with Dutch giants Feyenoord.

Sahin is an extremely intelligent player, he isn’t a tough-tackler necessarily but his timing of interceptions and awareness of what is around him is spot-on.

His main attributes are when in possession of the ball. He has a fantastic left-foot and an excellent range of passing. He’s a rapid decision-maker who uses the ball well, short and long

In a more expansive system, Sahin will often drop between the central defenders and move it forward to the more attacking players on the field.

Sahin already believes Liverpool can finish in the top four this season and has not ruled out making his loan move a permanent arrangement. He claims he was lured to Anfield by the footballing philosophy of Brendan Rodgers.

His admiration for Steven Gerrard will stand him in good stead. Sahin has all the credentials to form a strong midfield partnership with the club captain.

All that said, Liverpool will be hoping he hits the ground running in time for the visit of Arsenal on Sunday.