SAMED Yesil arrived from Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen this summer for a bargain fee of £1 million and he shares his birthday with one of the greatest nights ever in LFC’s history; he was born 25th May 1994 and celebrated his 11th birthday when Steven Gerrard lifted Old Big Ears for the fifth time in Istanbul 2005.
Like Nuri Sahin, Samed holds dual nationality for Germany and Turkey. Although his family are from Trabzon in Turkey, the new Reds youngster was born in Dusseldorf.
Under the guidance of former LFC legend and current Bayer Leverkusen manager Sami Hyypiä, he was handed his only appearance as a Löwen (they are nicknamed the Lions) as a substitute against Hertha Berlin in April 2012. Opportunities were limited at the BayArena due to Stefan Kießling being first choice striker.
Yesil first came to prominence at the Under 17 World Cup scoring 6 times in 7 games as Germany secured 3rd place. He scored 2 goals against his new LFC team-mate Raheem Sterling and England at the quarter final stage. While scoring is what Samed is known for, he is equally capable of setting up others – as affirmed by his 5 assists. He was awarded with the Silver Shoe as 2nd top scorer at the tournament.
The forward who resembles another one of Germany’s gems – Mesut Özil – has a prodigious scoring record at youth level with 22 goals in 26 appearances for Germany at Under 16, 17 and 18’s. He also scored 3 goals at the European Championships (Under 17’s) in 2011 and UEFA selected him to be part of the squad of the tournament.
His German team-mates have nicknamed him ‘Gerd’ after one of Germany’s greatest ever strikers, Gerd Muller, who finished his international career with 68 goals in 62 games.
Labeling Samed a fox in the box is further from the truth however, as he has a lot more in his locker. He is two-footed, explosive and powerful on the ball; Samed is an opportunist. A scheming forward, the 18 year old is deemed an astute conspirator – capable of picking locks in stubborn defences.
Adaptable and composed, Yesil carries a constant goal threat in whatever position or footballing approach. Accustomed to the ‘tiki-taka’ football method, he possesses the first-rate quality of ‘feasting off the slimmest of pickings’.
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Lethal in and around the area, the young prodigy is deserved of his ‘Gerd’ nickname. His inherent and natural awareness signifies not only ominous talent but shows great maturity and rarely shies away from his gritty defensive duties.
“I get stuck in where it hurts because I want to score goals. It doesn’t matter if I get kicked or fouled. The important thing is I score. My aim is to score in every match”
Even in this international break he certainly knows where the goal is by scoring with Germany’s under 19 side. It’s now 32 goals in 33 youth internationals for him.
New, fellow club team-mate Nuri Sahin is already a fan:
“Samed knows where the goal is,” he said. “He can smell the goal and that is a quality you cannot teach.
“His record is spectacular and if he continues to listen, he’ll be a good player for Liverpool.”
Hopefully it won’t be long before Samed is called upon by Brendan Rodgers. Our shortage of attacking options has been well documented especially with Borini out injured for a period of three months maybe this will be his time to show the Anfield faithful what he can do.
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Nice to see a positive article on the site, Katie, far too many of the other authors here will happily lead you to the Samaritans.
I like his statement, that is what is expected from a striker. By the way he is not younger than Raheem, he should be brought in
Why isn’t he being given first team opertunities?
@Jack The Lad: Yesil isn’t given any opportunity to play because, like you, he cannot spell. Rodgers simply cannot tolerate bad spelling.
lets wait and see before getting excited . we have seen many ‘starlets’ ,who were supposed to be the next big thing , fail to make it .
sinama , nemeth , pacheco , dalle valle ,and saric to name just a few .
Even though we had a vast number of talent before, this lad looks the real deal. None of the kids before had quite such a record in their respective junior divisions for club and country. As a die hard LFC supporter I am really excited by what this lad will bring to the team in the future. What this lad gives you is a definite goal threat and hard work off the ball, which is the most important component in BR’s philosophy. The academy has done great so far, so I’m quite sure he is in good hands. I can guarantee that the kop will be singing his name in the near future. YNWA!!!
Brenden Rodgers needs too give this brilliant young player a chance, we need a goalscorer and Yesil knows where the net is. Borini just hasin`t impressed me but i think Brenden should play him central in his best position instead of out wide when he recovers from injury. The thought of Yesil Sterling and Suarez has a front three sounds good too me. with Sahin Gerrard and Allen in a midfield 3looks good with Suso Assaidi and Shelvey on the bench for cover and our back four of Wisdom who i think deserves his place, Skertel, Agger and Johnson Although not a natural left footer has shown us his adaptability, we have the makings of a competetive team that should see us through until january, and who knows if Yesil gets his nose in we might only need 1more decent striker hopefully Huntelaar.
he is not ready . wait until he has banged in a load of goals for the u21s . anyway morgan is better