Former Liverpool loanee issues heartfelt message after playing for first time in 502 days

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Some former Liverpool stars have not gone on to have the career many would have expected them to.Due to the Reds being such a big club, it is not often that they bring players in on loan.The last player they brought in on a temporary basis was Arthur Melo from Juventus, although everyone knows how badly that one went.Join our newsletter for news & smart analysis. Before him, however, there was another player who was hyped up a lot that came in on loan, doing so because of a bit of an injury crisis.Liverpool decided against signing him permanently, though, and since he has struggled for game time due to injury.However, 502 days on, he is back on the football pitch once again, with it clear how hard this time has been for him.Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty ImagesBack in the 2020/21 season, the Reds had a raft of injuries at the back which meant emergency reinforcements were needed.

As well as playing youngsters such as Nat Phillips and Rhys Williams, Ozan Kabak was signed on a short-term loan deal in January from Schalke.He was widely tipped to be the next up-and-coming star in Germany, although at Liverpool he was very much a player that ‘did the job’, hence why the move was not made permanent. Since then, he has remained at a steady level in the Bundesliga with Hoffenheim, although he tore his ACL in June 2024, which meant he has not played since.However, after 502 days, he returned to action with a short cameo against St Pauli, with the 25-year-old penning an emotional message on his Instagram.“It’s hard to put into words what’s happened during this time.

Since my injury, there have been highs and lows, both mentally and physically,” he wrote.“I’ve played football for as long as I can remember; it’s all I’ve ever known. Those who’ve been through this journey will understand.READ MORE: ’Struggling’ Liverpool star is exactly who Arne Slot needs vs Frankfurt to stop losing streak“I’m grateful to be returning to the game as a stronger and more mature player, ready to give everything on the pitch alongside my teammates once again.”Ozan Kabak deserves a lot of respect from Liverpool fansAlthough he was only there a very short time, Kabak’s contribution for Liverpool cannot be underestimated.Phillips and Williams will get most of the credit as they started the majority of the games towards the end, but when Kabak was fit, he did the job.He was not quick or flashy, but he did just enough to get Liverpool over the line in important games, with the Reds unbeaten in the last five he played in.Unfortunately, his career has not kicked on in the way many predicted, but now that he is back from injury, this could be his chance.