Galatasaray handed huge fitness boost as Victor Osimhen prepares for Champions League return against Liverpool

Osimhen has been nursing an unfortunate injury picked up on duty with Nigeria in their 1-0 World Cup qualifying win over Rwanda on September 6. He has sat out four matches for club and country, with no risks being taken on his fitness. Galatasaray saw their European campaign for 2025-26 opened with a crushing 5-1 defeat at Eintracht Frankfurt. They need to bounce back from that result when welcoming Arne Slot’s Reds to Istanbul.

They will feel a lot better about themselves if Osimhen is able to spearhead their attack. There is growing confidence that the prolific 26-year-old will be ready to line up against the English title holders. He has been put through his paces on the training field, allowing any lost sharpness to be rediscovered.

Delivering an update on Osimhen’s condition, Gala manager Okan Buruk told reporters: “He took part in part of the training session. He has minor aches and pains. But if he can tolerate them and play, we hope he'll be with the team in our next match.”

Buruk went on to say, with Osimhen prepared to put his body on the line against Premier League opponents: “We'll try him out in training. He played for 10 minutes yesterday. His pain is still there. We expect him to be in the squad for the Alanyaspor match. We expect him to be on the pitch for the Liverpool match.”

According to Sporx, no gambles on Osimhen’s fitness are likely to be taken against Alanyaspor, despite Buruk’s claims that he could be involved. Gala cannot afford to suffer any setbacks and need their talismanic frontman to be as ready as he can be for an epic tussle with Liverpool.

Osimhen has struggled for full fitness since rejoining Galatasaray on a permanent transfer over the summer. He has started just two of the club’s opening six games in the Super Lig this season. The Nigerian superstar has been a big miss after hitting 37 goals through 41 appearances last season - during a productive loan spell from Serie A champions Napoli.

He has still managed two goals in three appearances this term, with his finishing ability having never been in doubt. Osimhen will form part of tactical meetings and preparations on Saturday, as Buruk prepares his troops for what Liverpool have to offer.

Former Besiktas midfielder Sinan Engin, who has seen Osimhen at close quarters since he headed to Turkey, is convinced that the African ace will line up against Liverpool even if he is not 100 per cent fit. It is claimed that Osimhen would happily take to the field with a broken leg if needs be.

Engin told habersarikirmizi.com: “I think Osimhen will play in the Alanyaspor match. Even if he breaks his leg, Osimhen would want to play in the Liverpool match. He's not the type of player to pick matches. He'll be 100 per cent on the pitch for the Liverpool match.”

Osimhen joined Galatasaray in a transfer that could be worth as much as €75 million (£66m/$88m). He has been linked with moves to the Premier League on a regular basis in the past, with the likes of Chelsea and Manchester United being credited with interest, but no deal has ever been done.

Time is still on his side when it comes to earning opportunities to face Liverpool on a more regular basis, with his stunning strike rate at club level - coupled with 26 goals through 41 international appearances - ensuring that he will forever register on recruitment radars around the world.