Brendan Rodgers 'the reason I chose Liverpool', says Dortmund boss Nuri Sahin ahead of reunion with former boss
ByOli Gent
Updated 01/10/2024 at 14:13 GMT+1
Nuri Sahin has revealed that Brendan Rodgers was a key reason as to why the former midfielder, now the Borussia Dortmund manager, decided to sign for Liverpool. Sahin moved to Anfield in 2012 on loan from Real Madrid, making seven appearances. The two now face off as managers in the UEFA Champions League, when Sahin's Dortmund take on Celtic at Signal Iduna Park, live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
Sahin says Rodgers influence the reason for Liverpool switch ahead of reunion
Video credit: TNT Sports
Nuri Sahin has said that Brendan Rodgers was a big driving factor in his decision to join Liverpool when he left Real Madrid.
The former midfielder, now the Borussia Dortmund manager, arrived at Anfield on loan in 2012, when Rodgers was in the dugout on Merseyside.
Now, the pair face off with both in managerial positions, as Sahin’s Dortmund face Rodgers’ Celtic on matchday two of the UEFA Champions League, live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
Dortmund is Sahin’s second job in senior management, having had a two-year stint in his native Turkey at the helm of Antalyaspor.
He took over last summer, when Edin Terzic departed last term’s Champions League finalists, who finished fifth in the Bundesliga.
Sahin remarked that he was looking forward to seeing a familiar face who he has “history” with in the opposing dugout at Signal Iduna Park.
“Of course [it will be nice to see him],” Sahin told TNT Sports.
“When you have a history together, even if it was a very short time that we worked together, but I enjoyed the training sessions with him.
“I enjoyed the idea of football that he had. It was also the reason why I chose Liverpool back in the day, from many offers I had.
“You can see it very well, even watching 10 minutes of Celtic you see the influence Brendan has on the team. Really looking forward [to playing] against a very good opponent tomorrow.
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“I would be very surprised if Brendan is the same coach as he was 12 years ago. I am sure that he has made steps.
“Also, a new experience. A very high experience with Liverpool, Celtic, Leicester, and now back at Celtic. We will face a very, very good team, I am sure about that. Looking forward to it.”
Sahin, who played seven times for Liverpool during his loan spell in 2012/13, then joined Dortmund on another loan from Real Madrid the following season, playing 49 times before making his move permanent the following year.
He believes that Celtic are a “quality team” who boast some of his “favourite players”.
“[They are a] quality team with very good offensive patterns,” Sahin said.
“Some of my favourite players in the team. They are going for it. They [have been] dominating the Scottish league for years.
“Now, they have had a good start in the Champions League, but I am sure that we will be the toughest opponent that they will face until now.”
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'My name is better in the UK than Germany' - Gross
Pascal Gross has admitted that his reputation as a player is “better in the UK” than it is in his native Germany.
The midfielder, who joined Dortmund from Brighton and Hove Albion in the summer, has 10 senior international caps and made 158 appearances for Ingolstadt in the Bundesliga before making the move to the Sussex coast.
For Brighton, he played 228 times - in multiple positions - and scored 30 goals in his time at Amex Stadium.
Gross has started every game in the Bundesliga for Dortmund this season, but is yet to get himself on the scoresheet, despite earning himself an early cult hero status in North Rhine-Westphalia.
“Maybe [I’ve had to prove myself back in Germany] a little bit,” Gross said to TNT Sports.
“My name is better in the UK than in Germany, but then I came into the national team and that has helped me already.
“Now I play for one of the biggest clubs in Germany. That’s a really proud moment for me and I try to enjoy it and show what I’m capable of.”
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The 33-year-old says that he was “100%” committed to joining Dortmund in the recent transfer window, just as he was when he moved to England.
“When a club signs you, I am making the decision to join the club, because I always go 100% in. I did the same with Brighton, with the country and the culture,” he said.
“I am fully committed here, and I want to play good football. Giving it back and giving my best is the minimum. I try to perform. I just try to do my best and hopefully it’s going well.”
Some Dortmund supporters are clamouring for Gross, one of the elder statesmen in a youthful and exuberant side, to take the captain’s armband, but the former Hoffenheim and Karlsruhe man laughed any such suggestion off.
“[Me being captain] is ridiculous,” he said. “I’m in an age where I try to lead with my performance. One of my strengths is making my teammates better around me.
”Make them feel comfortable, give them a good feeling and make good decisions. Communicate with them, be part of a winning team and being a team player. That’s what I try to bring.”
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Pascal Gross ist vor seinem Heimdebüt in der Champions League optimistisch
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Gross said that he expected a tough game against Rodgers’ “intense” Celtic side.
“I know Celtic; I watch some Scottish football,” Gross explained. “The Old Firm, especially.
“They have a good manager with Brendan Rodgers and good players. They are very intense. We need to be ready. They are in very good form.
”But we are at home and want to win the game. We will see [if they try to attack us] because it’s different for them in the league and in the Champions League.
“In the league, they are very dominant and strong historically every season. It’s a fight against Rangers, but in the Champions League it’s different because you play against clubs that are on their level. Let’s see how they approach the game.”
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