Nuri Sahin took time after last night’s 1-1 draw between Borussia Dortmund and Liverpool to praise his former club.
The 27-year-old was loaned to Liverpool in 2013 when Brendan Rodgers first took charge, but was used as a no.10 by the Northern Irishman when he’s in fact a deep-lying playmaker, and by January, his temporary deal was cut short.
Sahin came on at half-time at Signal Iduna Park yesterday and displayed some of the passing ability we sadly never got to see enough of on Merseyside.
The midfielder said after the game, that despite Liverpool’s position in the Premier League, he knew we’d be a better side than Tottenham and prove a tougher opponent, even with Spurs fighting for the English title.
“The media said we were favourites. I knew from the start that we wouldn’t beat Liverpool as easily as Tottenham!” the Turk said.
In fairness, Spurs played a weakened team and have proven domestically that they’re a top side with talented young players. Still, Dortmund embarrassed them over two legs but were probably bettered by Jurgen Klopp’s team last night.
Sahin has always had good things to say about Liverpool, just not about his Reds boss Rodgers.
“To play at Anfield was a wonderful experience,” he said in 2013. “And maybe if I had not gone there I would not have been able to return to Borussia Dortmund. For that, I am happy. Thank God I have left Brendan Rodgers.”
Sahin’s chances of featuring again next week rely heavily on whether Ilkay Gundogan’s healthy enough to return to the side. His absence yesterday helped us greatly, but we should be confident going into the second leg regardless.