Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen has admitted he wants to avoid Liverpool in the Champions League last 16 as it would “be like some sort of revenge.”
Osimhen scored the winning goal as Galatasaray earned a 7-5 aggregate victory over Juventus in the Champions League playoffs on Wednesday night.
Though it was a 3-2 defeat on the night, the result means Galatasaray join Atletico Madrid as Liverpool’s two possible opponents for the last 16.
Speaking after the game, the Nigerian admitted he “would like to escape” Liverpool in Friday’s draw as he fears “revenge” for Galatasaray’s 1-0 win in the league phase.
“To be honest with you, meeting Liverpool now is going to be like some sort of revenge,” he told CBS Sports.
"I'm disappointed in the performance of the team."
Victor Osimhen speaks candidly on Galatasaray's scare against Juventus ? pic.twitter.com/7tPdmO2fqi
— CBS Sports Golazo ?? (@CBSSportsGolazo) February 25, 2026
“I think of anyone we meet now, I won’t say much, but I would like to escape Liverpool.
“If they come, of course we’re going to dig it out, but it’s not going to be easy.
“I mean this is the Champions League, no team is easy and we can see how Bodo/Glimt are flying in this tournament, so if you try to win, you also have to play the big dogs and make a statement for yourselves.
“We’ve met Liverpool, but we haven’t played at Anfield, so if we meet them it’s going to be an amazing game but I think we’re up to the task.
“It’s not going to be easy of course, but I think we have a fight in us.”
ISTANBUL, TURKEY - Tuesday, September 30, 2025: Liverpool's Ibrahima Konaté reacts to conceeding a penalty kick during the UEFA Champions League match between Galatasaray A.?. and Liverpool FC at the Ali Sami Yen Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Liverpool were far from their best in their defeat in Istanbul back in September, with Osimhen’s penalty proving the difference in that clash.
But as the striker continued his post-match interview he expressed his own disappointment in the way Galatasaray performed in the second leg against Juventus.
“It gives some kind of sense of relief, but I have to be honest with you, I’m disappointed in the performance of the team, I mean the whole team,” he explained.
“And I have to give kudos to Juventus for the kind of display that they put on.
Champions League Last 16 Draw 2026: At a Glance
Date
Friday, February 27, 2026
Start Time
11am GMT
TV Channel
UEFA.com / TNT Sports 1 / discovery+
Live Stream
TNT Sports YouTube (Free)
Liverpool Possible Opponents
Galatasaray or Atletico Madrid
The draw will be held live at the House of European Football in Nyon, Switzerland.
“We qualify, but I think we have a lot to improve if we are to go into the next round and play the big dogs.
“This performance today was not really good. I think Juventus deserved the win, but I’m happy for my team to qualify for the next round.”
Liverpool are seeded for the last-16 draw which means they will play the second leg at Anfield, with their fixtures expected to be held on Tuesday, March 10 and Wednesday, March 18 regardless of the opposition.