Why Hasn’t It Happened For Nuri Sahin?
WHEN it was announced we had beaten Arsenal to the loan signing of Turkish playmaker Nuri Sahin, I was of course delighted.
As a massive fan of the Bundesliga, I watched Sahin pull the strings for Borussia Dortmund on his way to winning the Bundesliga title as well as being voted the player of the season.
It was no surprise that he made the big move to La Liga when Real Madrid came calling, as we have seen ourselves, it’s hard for any player to turn down a move to the Madrid giants.
Sahin is the type of player most fans would love – he has a terrific left foot, can pick a pass as good as anyone and chips in with his fair share of goals. So the big question is: Why isn’t it working with him for Liverpool?
Sahin is a luxury player, and when he started for us against Arsenal it was clear to see he wasn’t fully match fit. An injury plagued season at Real Madrid meant he would always be playing catch-up in regards to fitness and blending into Rodgers’ much talked about game plan, but at times it looks like he was playing in reverse.
One amazing cameo against West Brom in the Capital One Cup aside, The Turk has flattered to deceive which is a real shame for Liverpool as they lack true creativity in the middle of the park. Rodgers’ philosophy is for players to express creativity but matched with hard work as well.
Sahin has all the talent but seems to lack the stomach to fight for his place and oust those competing with him for one of three central midfield positions (once Lucas is back to full fitness that becomes two, such is his importance to the balance of the team).
A loan fee and on high wages, Sahin is now expected to return to Real Madrid, or join another club on loan, allowing us to look at further options besides the imminent arrival of Thomas Ince back to the club from Blackpool.
Sahin will no doubt regain his best form and become the player we know he can be, but at this moment in time Liverpool need players who can perform now. Sahin’s position should be contested between Suso and Jonjo Shelvey; two players who have shown this season they deserve more game time with the undroppable captain nailing down the last remaining midfield slot (something I highly disagree with – a few good crosses into the box should not guarantee you a starting place, although his form has picked up of late).
Good luck in the future, Nuri, it just hasn’t happened for you here.
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January 9th, 2013
It’s simple, Henderson over Allen and Sahin over Shelvey. Lucas should rest a bit more. They both should be starters
January 10th, 2013
Sahin – Another case of bad management by BR
January 10th, 2013
Thanks for taking the time to read and to comment everyone, I really appreciate it. The Gerrard romanticism is plain to see, yes there has been a marked improvement over the last few games but he has been largely woeful in a system that requires midfielders to be at their physical peak, to bully and harass the opposition into making mistakes and losing the ball. Gerrard has unfortunately carried the team so much over the years that it has taken its toll.
Shelvey is a Rodgers favourite, and has an eye for goal. Overrated is very harsh.
Allen may not have been amazing of late, but he was very good at the start of the season and we will see the best of him as the rest of the team grows in confidence.
Sahin may not have been given as many chance as others, but the manager goes by what he sees. In Rodgers we must trust.
Thanks again for reading and posting.
January 10th, 2013
Dont know what u have been watching but Allen was never good – easily the worst Liverpool player for years
And ‘in rodgers we must trust ‘ ? What nonsense is that ? He has given no reasons for us to trust him . if Crusty the clown was hired by FSG to manage Liverpool , would u trust him too ? Your the one guilty of romanticism
January 10th, 2013
Hi mate, Allen was fantastic the start of the season. The lad has been playing non stop for about 2 years now though, and has started to become tired and in need of a rest (which he has been getting).
No reason to trust Rodgers? So giving Sterling (now an England international), Suso, Wisdom, Shelvey game time isn’t a good thing? Arguably getting the best form out of Suarez we have seen isn’t worth anything?
Romanticism is one thing, common sense is another entirely. I understand people will be against Rodgers because we aren’t magically in the top 4, but most need to realise that this season was a write off after poor management and ownership from the last two managers. Given time, Rodgers ideas will be implemented magnificently and the club will grow from the bottom up.
January 10th, 2013
I agree with gaz . Allen was never fantastic , he had 2 or 3 decent games where he still produced or created nothing
And as for your trust in Rodgers , its totally misguided and naive . Rodgers will be gone within 12 more months and the sooner the better
January 10th, 2013
Firstly I don’t know how some of you are suggesting that a loanee should get more game time then the players we actually own, yes Allen and Shelvey have had a dip in form but they still represent the future of the club. Sahin is a good player but we were never going to make the deal a permanent one because 1. Real Madrid wouldn’t sell on the cheap 2. His wages are too high. IMO the lad has a serious lack of pace which premier league teams can exploit eg. Arsenal @ Anfield where he was too slow at tracking back and when caught in possession, was too slow to recover. I don’t know if it’s a lack of effort or determination that could be a determining factor as to why Rodgers doesn’t use him anymore.
January 10th, 2013
FFS _are u for real ? if Allen represents the future of our club – We are screwed !!!
January 10th, 2013
@harry86 – we are treading dangerous waters if we sack Rodgers within a year. Becoming like Chelsea. Who then do we turn to if Rodgers is sacked? It simply will not happen.
I like to think of it as having faith rather than naivety.
January 10th, 2013
faith ? faith is nonsense . reality is for ur fictional future to come true , u are relying on Rodgers being as good a manager as Ferguson and Wenger …. there is NO evidence that points to that even being a possibility .
secondly , just say its true , that he is a new Wenger ….. he still wont bring success , football has moved on , even Wenger the great manager he is with a 15 year excellent academy in place , even Wenger cant get success , no trophies in 8 years , unable to seriously compete with top clubs
Fact is , and it is a fact cos if Wenger cant get success no one can , you cant get success in modern football without a decent amount of money thrown at it , nobody has
Rodgers has been inept in every way since joining , and i find it amazing and depressing that any liverpool fan would back a manager who has us drowning in mid table in January
Leave faith to the religious wackos , stick to realism in football
January 10th, 2013
@harry86 – It is also worth noting that Allens job should be to win posession, retain posession and keep the ball moving. If you are looking for goals and assists from him, there won’t be many.
What we seen with his marauding runs the other night was a one off when the game was dead.
January 10th, 2013
Allen is everything wrong with Liverpool this season , he slows our attacks with sideways passes and is bullied and dominated every game .
Im sure technically he is not the worst , but i have never seen a player so harmful to our cause as Allen . The next manager will have him out the door in 5 min
January 10th, 2013
This is a discussion for another time but who would you have managing us if Rodgers is so bad? (Actually getting us playing attractive football and blending youths into the first team, seems to not be to your pleasing).
January 10th, 2013
There is no attractive football . boring sideways negative rubbish
January 11th, 2013
Sahin was one of europes best talents , and still wanted by Real
Another case of – what Rodgers touches , turns to shi*e