Liverpool coach Arne Slot has admitted that Victor Osimhen’s first-half injury significantly aided his side’s passage into the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals, saying the Super Eagles striker’s early exit changed the complexion of a tie that Galatasaray had been controlling before the setback, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
Liverpool overturned a one-goal first-leg deficit to win 4-0 at Anfield on Wednesday, advancing 4-1 on aggregate, but the tie turned sharply in the 10th minute when Osimhen clashed with defender Ibrahima Konate and sustained a forearm fracture that eventually forced him off at half-time. Without their most dangerous attacker, Galatasaray lost their shape and crumbled in the second half.
Slot was candid about the impact of Osimhen’s injury after the match, while also heaping praise on the Nigerian’s quality.
“Osimhen is an incredible player for them. Yeah, the injury worked for us, but when you look at the first 10 minutes and how the team played with him, I thought he would play the full 90 because the rest of the team plays so well off him,” Slot said.
