Victor Osimhen's Galatasaray are preparing to clash with Liverpool in the Champions League and the striker has issued a warning to the Reds
Victor Osimhen speaks during a post-match interview
Galatasaray ace Victor Osimhen has issued Liverpool with a warning(Image: CBS Sports)
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Galatasaray star Victor Osimhen has issued a statement ahead of Liverpool's Champions League visit. The Nigerian striker also dropped a candid hint about his current transfer status.
After a third-place finish in the league phase, Arne Slot's side now have a two-legged Round of 16 clash against Turkish giants Galatasaray on their agenda. The first leg in Istanbul takes place on Tuesday, March 10.
Osimhen is undoubtedly Galatasaray's shining light, having been linked with a move to the Premier League long before his standout stint at Napoli. He bagged the only goal of the game this Saturday as Galatasaray beat rivals Besiktas 1-0 away from home.
After the match, Osimhen weighed up his team's prospects ahead of the Reds touching down in Turkey, while admitting he is happy at the club despite consistent transfer speculation.
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The 27-year-old said: "I'm following my coach's instructions. There were team-mates who excited and motivated me. After the goal, they called me back to defence. I love this club very much. I'm proud of my team. We're showing unity. We need to take it game by game. This win will give us strength. We need to keep our feet on the ground.
Victor Osimhen of Galatasaray A.S. scores his team's first goal from the penalty spot past Alisson Becker of Liverpool during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD2 match between Galatasaray A.S. and Liverpool FC
Osimhen's penalty was the difference the last time these two teams faced off(Image: Getty)
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"Liverpool are a very big team. We'll be playing at home. If we are careful, we can do well, even if it's not easy. All matches in the Champions League are tough. We will fight to do well."
When Liverpool played Galatasaray last September during the league phase, it was a first-half Osimhen penalty that ensured the home side hung on to all three points at RAMS Park. The striker has been linked with the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United in recent seasons, having signed permanently with Galatasaray from Napoli last summer for £65million.
However, his admission that he loves the club perhaps suggests that the Nigerian is enjoying his time in Turkey. Osimhen has scored 18 goals in all competitions this season.
Liverpool manager Slot was asked after Friday's 3-1 FA Cup victory against Wolves about the prospect of facing Galatasaray and Osimhen. He told TNT Sports: "The whole atmosphere makes it completely different from any other away game I've ever played.
"So it's every time when we had the ball, the noise, the whistling is that hard that sometimes you wonder if this could be done by human people. It's so hard, it's from the start till the end. The noise is even harder than when they score a goal.
"That is what you expect if you play the last 16. You know, every team you're going to face is difficult because they're there for a reason. And what makes it even more for us to know that it's difficult is that we've already played there and we've lost. It's a very good team."
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