Liverpool manager Arne Slot has shut down talk that Victor Osimhen was ever a target for the club, despite widespread rumours linking the Nigerian striker with a move to Anfield over the summer.
Instead, the Reds reshaped their attack by signing Hugo Ekitike and Alexander Isak, moves that came after Darwin Núñez’s struggles and the devastating injury to Diogo Jota.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Slot explained the decision:
“How should I say this… Because of the tragedy with Diogo Jota at the end, we had to bring in two number nines. We always knew Darwin would be replaced, but in the end, we needed both Ekitike and Isak. It was never about Osimhen.”
Osimhen, who had been linked with several Premier League clubs including Arsenal, Chelsea, and Manchester United, returned to Galatasaray after a standout loan spell in Istanbul. The 26-year-old has been nothing short of sensational, scoring 39 goals in 45 matches and cementing his reputation as one of Europe’s most dangerous strikers.
Liverpool will now have to deal with him directly when they travel to face Galatasaray in the Champions League at Rams Park on Tuesday. The Turkish champions are notoriously tough on home soil, and with Osimhen leading their line, the challenge becomes even greater.
There are, however, concerns over his fitness. The Nigerian featured for just five minutes in Galatasaray’s weekend win over Alanyaspor, with coach Okan Buruk admitting he may not yet be ready for a full match.
