‘It won’t be easy’ – Nigeria star Victor Osimhen rallies Galatasaray before Liverpool test

Victor Osimhen has cautioned his Galatasaray S.K. teammates not to underestimate the challenge posed by Liverpool F.C. ahead of their crucial UEFA Champions League Round of 16 first leg encounter in Istanbul.

The Nigerian striker acknowledged that the Turkish champions head into Tuesday’s clash at Rams Park with momentum after edging city rivals Beşiktaş J.K. over the weekend, but stressed that facing the English giants will demand far greater concentration and discipline.

Osimhen was the hero in that heated Istanbul derby, scoring the decisive goal that secured a narrow victory for Galatasaray and strengthened their grip on the Turkish title race.

The result lifted the reigning champions to 61 points at the summit of the Süper Lig table, opening a four point gap over closest challengers Fenerbahçe S.K..

Despite the confidence generated by the derby triumph, the Super Eagles forward insists the upcoming European fixture presents a very different test.

“The victory against Besiktas will of course lift us, but we need to keep our feet on the ground,” he warned.

“Liverpool are a strong and ambitious team. We will be playing at home, which is an advantage for us.

“If we’re careful, along with the lessons from playing together against Besiktas, I am confident we will do well too, even if it won’t be easy. We’ll fight for it.”

The 27 year old also admitted that Galatasaray would ideally have preferred to avoid the Premier League champions at this stage of the competition, but believes the Turkish side still have the quality to compete if they execute their game plan properly.

Osimhen has already proven decisive against Liverpool in Istanbul. Last season, the Nigerian striker converted a penalty that helped Galatasaray edge the Merseyside club during the group phase of the Champions League.

His form will again be central to the hosts’ hopes. Against Beşiktaş, Osimhen rose highest to power home a 39th minute header from a corner delivered by Leroy Sané, a goal that ultimately settled the fiercely contested derby.

The strike took the forward’s tally to 11 league goals this season, underlining his importance to Galatasaray’s domestic and European ambitions.