Ex-Liverpool midfielder Nuri Sahin was involved in a bizarre post-match moment on Tuesday evening, surrounding match officials in a bid to protect them from his own players.
Now the manager of Turkish side Antalyaspor, Sahin's side were left frustrated after losing 2-1 to Fenerbahce after seeing a 98th-minute equaliser ruled out by VAR for offside. This defeat has left Antalyaspor one place above the relegation zone, leaving their players incensed over being denied a share of the spoils deep in stoppage-time.
Wary that the referee Kadir Saglam and his colleagues were likely to be angrily confronted as a result, Sahin took up the role of a human shield by blocking his players from getting within close proximity. Pushing his players away from trouble, the 34-year-old could not prevent one of his backroom staff from receiving a red card for continuing his protestations. Antalyaspor later released an official club statement in light of this situation, demanding disclosure as to why their second goal was ruled out.
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Sahin joined Liverpool on loan back in August 2012 but returned to parent club Real Madrid during the January transfer window after all parties agreed to cut his season-long spell short. His best days were undoubtedly spent under Jurgen Klopp at Borussia Dortmund between 2005 and 2011, a period in which he won the Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal and DFL-Supercup.
Discussing why his time at Anfield did not work out in March 2013, the former Turkey international said: “Brendan Rodgers wanted me to play as a No 10. But I do not play behind the forwards. “I spoke with him and asked him why I was playing there. It is not my real position. The boss could not answer me... still, I am not sorry about it. To play in the red jersey and be in Anfield is something marvellous.
“Maybe if I had not gone there I would not have been able to return to Borussia Dortmund. For that, I am happy. But I have left Brendan Rodgers, thanks be to God. I feel well physically and mentally, everything is perfect. After returning to Germany, I feel much better.”
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