Nuri Sahin looking forward to Brendan Rodgers reunion, 11 years on from Liverpool feud
By Tushar Bahl
Nuri Sahin spoke about Brendan Rodgers ahead of Borussia Dortmund vs Celtic in the Champions League, 11 years after publicly criticising the then-Liverpool manager.
Borussia Dortmund and Celtic will square off at the Westfalenstadion on Tuesday as the league phase of the UEFA Champions League reaches matchday two. The contest will also see Nuri Sahin reunite with Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers, 11 years on from his strong criticism of the latter.
Sahin had a loan spell at Liverpool during the 2012/13 season when Rodgers was the manager of the English Premier League side. He was reduced to a bit-part role there, and the loan was cut short in January. He then joined Borussia Dortmund on loan from Real Madrid before returning to the club permanently in 2014.
"Thank God I have left Brendan Rodgers" - Nuri Sahin in 2013
After leaving Liverpool, Sahin was critical of Rodgers' tactics and said that he was often asked to play out of position by the current Celtic manager. "I did not fail at Liverpool. Brendan Rodgers wanted me to play as a number 10. But I do not play behind the striker," Sahin said in an interview with Diario AS in 2013.
"Still, no regrets. To play at Anfield was a wonderful experience. And maybe if I had not gone there I would not have been able to return to Borussia Dortmund. For that, I am happy. But thank God I have left Brendan Rodgers," he added.
During Monday's pre-match press conference, Sahin was asked about the prospect of a reunion with Rodgers and said that he enjoyed his time playing under him. "I don’t know what I said back in the day when I was young, but the only thing was for me that I played in a different position than I used to play. I really enjoyed my time at Liverpool. It’s a fantastic club and I enjoyed every training session under Brendan. I can only say good things about him and my time there."
Brendan Rodgers has enjoyed plenty of success since joining Celtic and his side will no doubt offer Borussia Dortmund a tough test on Tuesday evening. While Nuri Sahin will be keen to lead BVB to victory and make it two wins in two in the league phase of the UEFA Champions League.
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