Nuri Sahin Calls Liverpool Spell a 'Fun Time'

One of the most confusing and frustrating decisions made by Liverpool over the last couple of years was the way they chose to utilize midfielder Nuri Sahin. The loanee from Real Madrid had been used at Borussia Dortmund, often being asked by Brendan Rodgers to play in the no. 10 position just behind the striker, when he'd seen the most success as a deep-lying playmaker.

Over the course of his five months with the club, the Turkish international made twelve appearances for the Reds and scored three goals. Ultimately, though, his brief tenure ended in a whimper as he was loaned back to Dortmund in the January transfer window after only playing half a season. After the fact, the midfielder admitted happiness at no longer working with former Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers.

Time must have softened those angry feelings, though, because in an interview with Sports1, Sahin had much kinder words to say about his stint at Anfield. "I was only there for three and a half, four months. 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. The club Liverpool is great. Even if they have not won a major title since 2005, it is an extremely well-organised team."

About facing Klopp for the first time since the beloved manager left his club, Sahin said, "We have worked together for seven, eight years. 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."

Liverpool travel to Dortmund to take on the German side for the first leg of the Europa League quarterfinals on Thursday.