Osimhen injury Liverpool win: Arne Slot admits striker’s exit helped Liverpool beat Galatasaray 4-0 to reach Champions League quarter-finals
Arne Slot has admitted that the early injury to Victor Osimhen played a decisive role in Liverpool’s commanding victory over Galatasaray, as the English side advanced to the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals.
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Liverpool overturned a first-leg deficit with a dominant 4-0 win at Anfield on Wednesday, sealing a 4-1 aggregate triumph.
However, the contest shifted dramatically in the 10th minute when Osimhen suffered a forearm fracture following a collision with defender Ibrahima Konate.
The Nigerian striker, widely regarded as Galatasaray’s most potent attacking threat, was forced off at half-time, leaving the visitors without a focal point in attack.
His absence proved costly as the Turkish champions lost momentum and structure in the second half.
Speaking after the match, Slot acknowledged the turning point while expressing sympathy for the injured forward.
“Osimhen is an incredible player for them. The injury worked for us, but when you look at the first 10 minutes, I thought he would play the full 90 because the team plays so well off him,” Slot said.
The Liverpool coach added that facing a fully fit Osimhen would have posed a far greater challenge, given the striker’s influence across both legs.
“He’s shown many times he can score out of nothing. It’s not nice to see any player get injured, but he’s been very influential. It is a huge advantage for us,” he added.
Osimhen had been instrumental in Galatasaray’s first-leg success, providing the assist for Mario Lemina’s winner and consistently troubling Liverpool’s defence.
He had also scored against the English side earlier in the competition, reinforcing his status as a key threat.
The Osimhen injury Liverpool win narrative became evident as the second half unfolded, with Liverpool capitalising on the setback to deliver a ruthless attacking display.
Galatasaray later confirmed that the striker sustained a fractured forearm and may require surgery, dealing a severe blow to their domestic ambitions in both the Turkish Super Lig and the Turkish Cup.
Also read: Arsenal, Man United target huge €140m Osimhen transfer
For Liverpool, the result keeps their European hopes alive, but for Galatasaray, the loss of their talisman could prove a defining setback in the weeks ahead.
Quadri Olaitan is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering news, public affairs, and human-interest stories.
