Once hailed as the brightest striking talent in German football, Samed Yesil (now 31) seemed destined for greatness. But two serious ACL injuries disrupted his rise just as it was gaining momentum — this despite signing what many would consider a dream deal with Liverpool FC.The Premier League giants paid 1.3 million to bring the 17-year-old from Bayer Leverkusen, a move that hinted at major potential. But his time at Anfield was fleeting. He made just one start, in a League Cup clash against Swansea City. Reflecting on his journey, Yesil told Kicker: “If I could turn back time, I wouldn’t change anything. How often do you get the chance to play for Liverpool FC?”I’ve asked this question in the past! Which player did you think could have made it big for Liverpool, but didn’t come close?I remember Samed Yesil, insane potential. Injuries ruined him sadly pic.twitter.com/O8VigebnAp— LFC Fans Corner (@LFCFansCorner) June 17, 2023 After spells in Switzerland, Greece, and Turkey, Yesil’s career eventually led him to the lower tiers of German football. Yet, despite the modest surroundings, his eye for goal remains razor-sharp. Playing for Anadolu Turkspor II — a Kreisliga B side from Krefeld — Yesil had an outrageous season: 95 goals in 25 matches, along with 37 assists. It’s no surprise that his scoring spree helped fire the team to promotion.But this story once looked very different. At the 2011 U17 World Cup, Yesil was electric — scoring six goals and assisting eight more, leading Germany to a third-place finish. He even tasted Bundesliga action with Bayer Leverkusen, coming on for nine minutes against Hertha BSC in a 3–3 draw near the end of the 2011/12 season. Back then, scouts were circling, eager to secure the services of a traditional penalty-box predator. In the German U17 setup, he was affectionately dubbed “Gerd,” a nod to the legendary Gerd Muller.##EDITORS_CHOICE##Yesil’s passion for scoring hasn’t dimmed — even if the stadiums are smaller and the crowds thinner. Because ultimately, the joy of finding the back of the net knows no division. When the ball hits the net, the league is irrelevant.##NAJAVA_MECA_9019172##
