Victor Osimhen’s penalty goal sinks Arne Slot’s Reds

By Ed Emeanua

Victor Osimhen’s 16′ penalty goal Tuesday, in Istanbul, helped Galatasaray make Liverpool see red in a 1-0 defeat in the current UCL campaign.

The victory handed ‘Cim-Bom’ their first UCL home win in seven years, sinking Arne Slot’s side to consecutive defeats in the push for Europe’s biggest Club glory.

It was an evening Galatasaray striker Osimhen and Baris Alper Yilmaz devoted to tormenting the visitors’ defence, direly exposing Liverpool’s fragile backline.

Slot has built a lethal offensive line no doubt, but the rate of its profligacy in the game far exceeded the productivity.

Alexander Isak and Mohamed Salah were left on the bench with Jeremie Frimpong given starting role on Liverpool’s right wing.

Okan Buruk’s side seized opening minutes initiative with Yilmaz freed to go through but could only force a save from goalkeeper Alisson Becker.

Almost immediately, Hugo Ekitike was passed through on goal, but his skill failed him in evading goalkeeper Ugurcan Cakir, allowing Ismail Jakobs to boot off the line Cody Gakpo’s rebound.

Next in the see saw spell and within seconds, Liverpool’s defensive flaws played its hands. Yilmaz’ domination of right back Dominik Szoboszlai was uncontrollable allowing him through.

All the bumbling Szoboszlai could do was to paw Yilmaz in the face as he was cutting in. Referee Clement Turpin pointed to the spot for Osimhen to score the penalty kick firing low through the middle and over Alisson.

The Reds reacted well as Florian Wirtz forced Cakir into a save with Milos Kerkez and Ibrahima Konate fluffing close-range opportunities from back-to-back corner kicks.

Liverpool then spurned several fist half opportunities only to pep-up their profligacy in the second.

For the English giants, it was a remarkable evening for ruing what would have been, if Liverpool’s defence had held its ground, the midfield was up to it, and their attack line had buried the chances.

Above all, a denied late penalty by VAR could just as well have helped in sending home joyous, dancing and singing Reds fans to Anfield possibly by the odd penalty goal. But it was not meant to be.

Reds must now nurse double injuries to Alisson and striker Ekitike.