Brendan Rodgers has heaped praise on midfielder Nuri Sahin following Liverpool’s 5-2 victory over Norwich City on Saturday.

The 24-year-old, who joined the Reds on a season-long loan from Real Madrid in the summer, has had a bright start to his Anfield career – scoring three goals in four appearances in all competitions.

And his manager Rodgers paid tribute to the Turkey international’s performances and believes he has settled in well at Liverpool after being afforded the chance to impress.

“[Sahin] is a master technician, he’s hungry and he wants to prove himself,” Rodgers told reporters.

“Nuri was a wonderful player at a young age in Germany and did wonderfully well for Borussia Dortmund.

“He was German player of the year before he moved to Real Madrid.

“He just found it hard to play through injury and was competing with in-form players like Khedira, Alonso and Diarra.”

Sahin’s promising start at Liverpool does not come as a surprise to his manager however, and Rodgers is happy that the midfielder is showing the ability which was apparent when he first broke onto the scene in Germany.

“I knew him when he was a young player,” Rodgers added. “But, of course, affordability and availability are two key things when you are a manager.

“He was a young player who I thought would fit in once he got up to speed and now he is starting to get up to speed.

“He was captain of Dortmund at a very young age so he has natural leadership qualities. He has settled in very well.”