Victor Osimhen's Liverpool comment speaks volumes after Galatasaray stun Reds

Victor Osimhen has lauded Liverpool as 'one of the greatest clubs in the world' after helping fire Galatasaray to victory against the Reds on Tuesday evening. The Nigerian netted the winner in the first half, converting from the penalty spot early on to secure a memorable triumph for the Turkish heavyweights.

The result marked Galatasaray's first home Champions League victory in seven years, with the final whistle sparking jubilant scenes amongst Okan Buruk's players and their passionate supporters.

Osimhen had been a fitness concern ahead of kick-off, having only just returned from a month-long injury layoff as a late substitute on Friday evening.

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However, after being restored to Galatasaray's starting line-up, the 26-year-old has called on his teammates to harness the victory as inspiration for the rest of their European campaign.

"I'm extremely happy about the performance we put in about one of the greatest clubs in the world," he told CBS Sports after the final whistle.

"For us, we never get carried away because this is a true test that Liverpool gave to us and I'm really happy about this win.

"It won't take away that they are one of the best [teams] in the last decade. For us, it's a really big motivation for us.

"They made us even better and we know we have a lot of things to work on. I'm really happy for this win and the team.

"We have quality in our team and we just need to be focused in many games in this competition.

"This is a huge step for us and we won't be carried away because we beat Liverpool. It's a big motivation."

Osimhen also confessed it was a 'huge moment' to net the decisive goal past Alisson Becker as he praised the Brazilian - who limped off with an injury in the second half - as amongst the finest keepers on the planet.

The Nigerian striker has now faced off against Alisson and Liverpool on three separate occasions, with Tuesday evening's triumph marking the second time he's emerged victorious.

Yet his winner against the Reds represented the first occasion he'd found the net against the six-time European champions, having previously watched Alisson thwart him from twelve yards during his Napoli days back in 2022.

Osimhen revealed his earlier miss had been weighing on his mind before stepping up to face the Liverpool goalkeeper once more as he finally laid his past disappointments to rest.

"You come face-to-face with one of the best goalkeepers in the world, Alisson," he said. "I have to be on high concentration for the place where I want to put the ball and I didn't change it.

"For me, it's a huge moment. I came against him when I played for my previous club and he heard my penalty so I needed to be highly concentrated to do better."

Before securing his permanent switch to Galatasaray from Napoli this summer, Osimhen had been touted for a potential move to Liverpool.

Nevertheless, prior to confronting the Turkish outfit, Arne Slot had dismissed claims that the Nigerian was ever genuinely on the Reds' transfer shortlist.

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