Despite his loan spell with Liverpool ending in disappointment, Nuri Sahin spoke positively about the club ahead of Borussia Dortmund’s Europa League clash.
Sahin joined the Reds on loan from Real Madrid for the 2012/13 campaign, but after a confusing spell under Brendan Rodgers—largely operating out of position as a No. 10—the Turkey international moved back to Madrid at the beginning of 2013.
Soon after, Sahin made the switch back to Dortmund, where he had spent six years between 2005 and 2011.
Now, having returned from a lengthy spell on the treatment table, Sahin could line up against his former side at the Westfalenstadion on Thursday night, as Liverpool take on Dortmund in the Europa League qualifiers.
Though he is now settled in Dortmund and playing regular first-team football, when speaking to Sport1 this week Sahin had nothing but positive words for his time with the Reds.
“I was only there for three-and-a-half, four months,” he said.
“It was a short but very nice time. I cannot say anything bad about this club. It was my desire to go back to Borussia.
“What I will never forget is the training ground. [As a] club Liverpool is great.
“Even if they have not won a major title since 2005, it is an extremely well-organised team.”
Sahin spent time under Jurgen Klopp at Dortmund, and the 27-year-old explained how the Dortmund squad share a “great relationship” with their former manager that will not be affected by Thursday’s clash.
“We have worked together for seven, eight years,” he continued.
“That he knows us is beyond question. We know him well.
“We all have a great relationship with Klopp. That will not suffer in these two games.”
Though hampered by injuries, Sahin’s move back to Dortmund has seen him recapture the form that earned a move to Madrid in 2011.
He will be a threat to Liverpool’s chances if he features in Thomas Tuchel’s starting lineup on Thursday night, but with Klopp describing Sahin as a “brilliant player” in 2013, the 48-year-old will at least be encouraged to see him back to his best.
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