Şahin looking forward to playing alongside Gerrard

Turkish international Nuri Şahin will play for Liverpool for a season on a loan deal. EPA photo

Turkish international Nuri Şahin, who has agreed on a loan move to Liverpool, is relishing the prospect of playing for the Merseyside giants - and particularly captain Steven Gerrard, who he greatly admires.

“Steven Gerrard is a huge name, not only in Liverpool but in world football,” 24-year-old Şahin told the club’s official website. “I am looking forward to playing with him, I’ve already played against him once before.”

“There are many other players that I could name - I could start from number one to 25. I know them all, not personally, but I know how they play football and what the style of Liverpool is. I am looking forward to meeting them all,” he said. “If I had to choose one name, it would be Steven Gerrard - but it is not only Gerrard.”

Şahin passed a medical at the Reds’ Melwood training ground on Aug. 25 before putting pen to paper on a move that will see him spend the rest of the current campaign at Anfield.

Arsenal was initially thought to be favorite to secure the services of Şahin and was in advanced negotiations, but interest from manager Arsene Wenger reportedly cooled, allowing Liverpool to capture the Turkish international’s signature.

Proud team member

“I am happy to be here and I am looking forward to playing for Liverpool,” Şahin said. “It makes me proud to have joined such a big club like Liverpool.”

He also said he was impressed by Liverpool manager Brendan Rogers. “After the first conversation we had, I was left impressed by Brendan Rodgers. He told me about how he wants to play football and what the goals are he wants to reach with Liverpool. I am looking forward to meeting the fans. I hope it will be a nice year with trophies,” Şahin said.

The 24-year-old midfielder also revealed that Real Madrid teammate and former Liverpool star Xabi Alonso played a significant role in persuading him to make the switch to Anfield.

“When he heard Liverpool were interested in me, he started telling me about Liverpool,” he said. “He is still in love with Liverpool, I think!”

“He was saying, ‘Go there, you will love it. The fans will take care of you and love you’ and things like that. He said Anfield is the best stadium in the world. Xabi won a lot of trophies here, and hopefully we can do that too,” Şahin said.