Liverpool: Where will Sahin fit in at Anfield?

Following a protracted transfer battle with Arsenal, Liverpool have officially confirmed they have signed Nuri Sahin on a one-year loan from Real Madrid.

It has long been known that the midfielder was heading to England, but the final destination saw a tug-of-war eventually won by Liverpool. So who exactly have Liverpool signed?

Sahin moved to Real Madrid last summer after winning the German Bundesliga with Borussia Dortmund. In that season he was awarded German Player of the Year for his excellent performances in midfield.

Dortmund were praised for their possession style of play and Sahin was the main reason; often dominating games with his wide range of passing and high accuracy. 

And although that may have been his breakout year, Sahin has been around for a while. He made his first team debut aged 16. And now at the age of 23 he has 35 caps for Turkey. Arsene Wenger is said to have wanted to sign Sahin for the past eight years.

Much was expected of the player when he arrived in Madrid, (often hailed as the new Xabi Alonso) but he managed to only make eight appearances in all competitions. It has been nightmare stuff so far for Sahin in Madrid.

He came to the club with an injury and missed pre-season. So Mourinho had to build his first team without the player. Although Sahin eventually recovered, Madrid didn’t need him. They were on their way to a one-hundred point season. So the need to change the squad never materialised.

Mourinho has decided that Sahin will be well-served with a year on loan in England. Saying, “The Premier League is a good place for players to pick up certain characteristics which he does not have.” Meaning, Sahin can’t tackle. At Dortmund, he was deployed alongside a dedicated ball winner to win possession and give him the ball. It was when he had the ball that he dictated play.

So Liverpool have signed a very talented passer of the ball, but where does he play?

Lucas-Sahin-Allen:

He could slot right into the midfield three alongside Allen and Lucas, in a midfield that would be able to win the ball back, retain possession and provide incisive passing.

But this means Gerrard is out of the midfield. So where would Gerrard play? Most likely along on the wing, as he has excelled in that position before.

This certainly is an interesting option, as it seems Liverpool do not have the funds to sign another attacker. And Gerrard, a player of immense quality, can easily play on the wing. And the closer he plays to goal, the better chances Liverpool score from open play.

Lucas-Allen-Gerrard:

This option sees Sahin not start at all. He could be brought on during games that require greater possession of the ball. But as we’ve seen from the great performance of the midfield against Manchester City, it may be best to let these players get used to the system Rodgers is developing. While Sahin can offer depth and cover for the midfield.

Sahin-Allen-Gerrard:

A midfield option without a ball-winner. This may be the option we are forced to see depending on the results of the scan on Lucas’s thigh. Any of these players are capable of a defence-splitting pass.

One thing is for certain, for the first time in a long time, Liverpool appears to have both quality and depth in the middle of the park—even if only for a year—with Sahin joining Lucas, Allen, Gerrard, Henderson and Shelvey, in a group that suddenly appears capable of playing in multiple competitions and standing up to the inevitable injuries that come with a long season.

Calling all Liverpool fans: What formation do you see Liverpool using with Sahin? Are you glad that Adam will hopefully be stuck to the bench? What does Sahin's arrival mean for Joe Cole? Whatever your view we would love to hear from you.