Victor Osimhen hopes to avoid Liverpool in the Champions League last 16 draw

Victor Osimhen, ahead of Friday’s UEFA Champions League last-16 draw, has admitted that he would rather avoid a tie with Liverpool if Galatasaray draw them next. The Nigerian striker was the hero again in Wednesday’s dramatic playoff win over Juventus, but he’s wary of reliving a recent encounter with the Premier League giants.

Galatasaray looked comfortable after a 5-2 first-leg lead, but Juve mounted a remarkable comeback in Turin, with ten men, dragging the tie to extra time with a 3-0 second-leg win on the night.

Osimhen’s crucial extra-time strike restored the Turkish champions’ aggregate advantage, before Barış Alper Yılmaz sealed a 7-5 overall victory and booked their place in the last 16.

The result capped an emotional night in Italy and propelled Galatasaray into the Champions League round of 16 – their first appearance at that stage in more than a decade.

The Turkish side now know they will face a Premier League opponent, with the remaining possibilities being either Liverpool or Tottenham Hotspur.

Osimhen keen to dodge a Liverpool rematch

Speaking after the tie, Osimhen acknowledged the magnitude of a potential clash with Liverpool, referencing their previous meeting this season, where the Nigerian scored the only goal of the game from the penalty spot in a 1-0 Galatasaray win in the league stage – but he also talked up the challenge of facing them at Anfield.

“I mean to be honest with you, meeting Liverpool now is going to be like some sort of revenge,” Osimhen told CBS Sports.

“Anyone we meet now… I wouldn’t say much but I would like to escape Liverpool.”

The striker was quick to temper his preference with perspective, stressing that any last-16 opponent will be tough, and that Champions League football is about testing yourself against elite teams.

At this stage, Galatasaray will be heading into the last 16 without fear, following their ability to overcome Juventus, and with a squad full of European-level stars.

Tottenham’s current struggles domestically make them appear a more favourable opposition on paper, although Liverpool are enduring problems of their own as they continue to fight for a spot in the Premier League’s top five.