Victor Osimhen has sent a clear message to Liverpool ahead of Tuesday’s high-stakes UEFA Champions League Round of 16 first-leg, warning the Premier League giants that Galatasaray are ready to “fight” in the intimidating atmosphere of Istanbul.

The Nigerian superstar enters the match in peak form, having scored the decisive goal in Saturday’s 1-0 derby win over Besiktas.

With 18 goals across all competitions this season, seven of which have come in Europe, Osimhen remains the focal point of a Galatasaray side dreaming of a deep continental run.

Osimhen confident ahead of Liverpool test

Speaking ahead of Liverpool’s visit to Turkey, Osimhen assessed his team’s chances against the English side.

“I’m following my coach’s instructions. Some teammates excited and motivated me. After the goal, they called me back to defend. I love this club very much. I’m proud of my team,” Osimhen said as quoted by Daily Express.

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.

“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.”

Closing in on Galatasaray Champions League record

Osimhen has scored 18 goals across all competitions this season and remains one of Galatasaray’s most influential players in Europe.

Following Friday’s 3–1 FA Cup victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers, Liverpool manager Arne Slot was asked about the prospect of facing Galatasaray and Osimhen.

Osimhen has already scored seven goals in the Champions League this season, making him one of Galatasaray’s key performers in the competition.

The Nigerian striker also has a small piece of history with Anfield. He previously played there in 2022 while at Napoli, when the Italian side lost 2–0 to Liverpool. Earlier in that same campaign, Napoli had defeated the Reds 4–1, with Osimhen winning a penalty in that match.

His current tally leaves him just one goal short of equalling the record for the most goals scored by a player from a Turkish club in a single Champions League season. The record is held by Burak Yılmaz, who scored eight goals for Galatasaray during the 2012–13 campaign.

The return leg will be played at Anfield on March 18, with both sides battling for a place in the Champions League quarter-finals. (BusinessDay)

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