Former Liverpool defender Steve Nicol has warned that Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen could be decisive ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League showdown at Anfield.
The Premier League champions welcome the Turkish champions to Anfield in the second leg of their Champions League Round of 16 encounter, hoping to overturn a one-goal deficit from the first leg.
Super Eagles forward Osimhen provided the assist for Mario Lemina’s first half effort, which proved to be the only goal of the encounter.
The former Napoli forward was a constant menace on the night and troubled Ibrahima Konate, forcing the Liverpool defender into several errors.
Osimhen also recorded one of the highest-ever recorded jumps in football history in the first half of that clash, when he headed over a great chance.
The 27-year-old thought he had found the back of the net in the second half to double Galatasaray’s advantage, but the strike was ruled out for offside against teammate Baris Alper Yilmaz, even though he did not touch the ball.
Liverpool have already lost twice to Galatasaray this season and will be hoping to end that streak and book their place in the last eight of the tournament.
What Nicol said ahead of Liverpool-Galatasaray Champions League showdown
Speaking ahead of the crucial second leg clash on Wednesday, Nicol who enjoyed a very successful spell with Liverpool between 1981 and 1994, warned Arne Slot’s side to be wary of the threat carried by Osimhen after their poor showing against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.
“Liverpool have just capitulated against right now the worst in the Premier League,” Nicol said.
“And they are 1-nil behind Galatasaray, who have a guy upfront in Osimhen, who can win any game on his own with a simple piece of magic and brilliance.
“How Liverpool can be such a big favourite after what we saw at the weekend, I don’t get,” Nicol concluded.
The winner of the Round of 16 clash will advance to the last eight where they will face either Chelsea or Paris Saint-Germain.
