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When Arne Slot faces Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen in the Champions League on Tuesday, the Liverpool manager won't be dwelling on missed opportunities.
Osimhen tormented Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool in this competition three years ago during a 4-1 victory whilst representing Napoli, but the Nigeria international wasn't among the two players Slot identified when it became apparent that significant summer expenditure would be required to revamp the attacking line.
Galatasaray manager Okan Buruk will make a late decision regarding Osimhen's availability for the fixture at RAMS Park, though Slot expressed his satisfaction with securing Hugo Ekitike and Alexander Isak when questioned whether the 26-year-old forward featured on his wishlist during discussions with sporting director Richard Hughes about transfer targets.
"We have added two No. 9s," Slot said. "So how should I say this the right way in English? Unfortunate is not the word I should use, but because of an enormous tragedy with Diogo Jota, in the end, we had to bring in two No. 9s.
"We always thought we'd replace Darwin Nunez with one No. 9, but we had to bring in two.
"We have always looked for very good players, but it was always clear to us that from the start we wanted these two (Isak and Ekitike) if we needed two."
Ekitike, who will rejoin the squad after being absent from Saturday's loss to Crystal Palace due to suspension, remarked: "We play in such a big club.
"I can't see any big clubs playing with just one striker in the squad.
"It is good that Alex is here.
"For me, at my age, I have a lot of things to improve and learn.
"It is good that he is here. It is for the coach to decide how we want to play.
"I have been playing in a two-striker composition, one striker, I can do a lot of things.
"If we have to play together, I can do that."
Ekitike is anticipated to feature in the starting XI in Istanbul as Isak continues building toward full match fitness following limited preseason action, while his British-record transfer from Newcastle was finalized.
English (US) ·