Liverpool 4-0 Galatasaray (4-1 agg.): How Victor Osimhen fared as Turkish champions crash out of UCL

Victor Osimhen endured a forgettable night at Anfield as his Galatasaray stumbled to a 4-0 defeat to Liverpool to crash out of the UEFA Champions League, Afrik-Foot reports.

The Super Eagles striker’s much-anticipated night at Anfield never truly ignited. The former Napoli forward endured a frustrating evening in which injury and Liverpool’s intensity combined to end Galatasaray’s Champions League journey.

Arriving on Merseyside with seven goals in nine appearances in the competition, and just one short of a club record for a Turkish side, Osimhen was expected to lead the line with authority. Instead, he cut a subdued figure for long spells before being forced off at half-time, as Liverpool overturned Galatasaray’s first-leg advantage to win emphatically and reach the quarter-finals.

The visitors had travelled knowing that avoiding defeat would be enough to progress after their narrow 1-0 win in Istanbul, where Osimhen had provided the decisive assist. But from the opening moments, the tone at Anfield was relentless.

Liverpool pinned Galatasaray deep, and Osimhen’s night took an early turn when he collided with Ibrahima Konaté. The forward required treatment and continued with his arm heavily strapped, clearly uncomfortable and unable to impose himself physically as he usually does.

Despite that, he battled on. He showed flashes of his aerial threat, notably stretching to meet a cross late in the first half, but could only guide his header into the side netting. It proved to be his only real sight of goal.

Liverpool’s pressure eventually told when Dominik Szoboszlai fired them ahead on the night, levelling the tie on aggregate. Galatasaray, with Osimhen hampered, struggled to create any meaningful attacking rhythm.

Victor Osimhen’s exit sparks Liverpool surge

Victor Osimhen’s determination to continue after his early knock showed his importance to this Galatasaray side, but the second half began without him. After further assessment, he was replaced at the break, an absence that proved decisive.

Without their focal point, Galatasaray lost both their outlet and their belief.

Liverpool seized control immediately. Hugo Ekitike completed the turnaround with a simple finish after a slick attacking move, before Ryan Gravenberch added a third within minutes as the hosts overwhelmed a disorganised defence.

A brief reprieve arrived when a potential fourth goal was ruled out for offside, but it did little to stem the tide. Mohamed Salah soon made history, curling in a superb finish for his 50th Champions League goal and putting the result beyond doubt.

It was a ruthless, high-tempo display from Liverpool; one that Galatasaray, particularly without Osimhen, simply could not match.

It was a night that promised much for Osimhen but delivered little. Injured early, limited in impact, and eventually withdrawn, he was unable to replicate the decisive influence he showed in the first leg.

Galatasaray now turn their focus to domestic ambitions, where they remain firmly in control of the Turkish title race.

Meanwhile, following Liverpool’s commanding performance, the Reds have set up a quarter-final meeting with reigning champions Paris Saint-Germain.