Victor Osimhen faces awkward Liverpool reunion after being 'locked in hotel' and Jurgen Klopp talks

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Back then, Liverpool was said to have been in the running to sign Osimhen, who had been catching the eye at Lille with 18 goals in 38 appearances.The Reds faced competition from Napoli though, and despite Jurgen Klopp’s best efforts, it was the Italian side that would win the race for his signature. According to Giandomenico Costi, who previously worked alongside Napoli director Cristiano Giuntoli, every effort was put in to deny the former Liverpool boss.Get LFC's 2025/26 season home and away kitsThis article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it.

“He [Osimhen] was locked in a hotel for three days.“Giuntoli knew Liverpool were interested, and Jurgen Klopp had made his move, but Cristiano spoke to Osimhen in the hotel for three days until he convinced him to accept Napoli. He knew Victor very well, he had even followed him at Charleroi.”Osimhen’s relationship with Napoli would become fraught over the subsequent years though, leading to his eventual departure last summer after spending the previous season on loan at Galatasaray.Victor Osimhen scored the only goal of the game when Galatasaray and Liverpool last met(Image: Getty Images)He has continued his impressive form in Istanbul, and has already been a thorn in Liverpool's side this season, although the 27-year-old has admitted he isn't looking forward to meeting the Reds again."I mean to be honest with you, meeting Liverpool now is going to be like some sort of revenge," Osimhen said before the last-16 draw.

I wouldn’t say much but I would like to escape Liverpool."Osimhen added: "If you want to win, you also have to play the big dogs and make a statement for yourself."We’ve met Liverpool, but we haven’t played at Anfield. I think we’re up to the task, it’s not going to be easy, of course, but we have fight in us."