Despite intense rumors throughout the summer that linked the Nigerian striker with a move to Anfield, Liverpool manager Arne Slot has denied that the club was ever considering acquiring Victor Osimhen.
Following Darwin Nunez’s decline in form, the Reds strengthened their attack by adding two high-profile additions to their frontline: Hugo Ekitike and Alexander Isak. Liverpool was forced to sign not one, but two natural strikers after Diogo Jota passed away.
“How can I phrase this correctly in English? During his pregame press conference on Monday, Slot revealed, “We had to bring in two number nines because of an enormous tragedy that ultimately happened with Diogo Jota.”
“We ultimately had to bring in two number nines, even though we always intended to replace Darwin Nunez. Although we are constantly searching for exceptional players, we have always known that we wanted to include these two (Ekitike and Isak) if necessary.
After a fruitful loan stint in Istanbul, Osimhen—who had been linked to a number of Premier League teams, including Arsenal, Chelsea, and Manchester United—finally returned to Galatasaray. The 26-year-old is one of Europe’s most deadly finishers, having scored an amazing 39 goals in just 45 games for the Turkish champions.
When Liverpool plays Galatasaray in the Champions League match at Rams Park on Tuesday, they will have to keep Osimhen quiet. With Osimhen spearheading their assault, the Turkish team, who are renowned for being formidable at home, present a significant challenge to Slot’s squad.
However, there are concerns regarding the Nigerian’s fitness. After only recovering from an injury, he played just five minutes in Galatasaray’s victory over Alanyaspor over the weekend. Okan Buruk, the head coach, made a suggestion that he might not be completely prepared for the whole ninety minutes against Liverpool.
