Osimhen injury: Liverpool slam Konaté attack after Galatasaray defeat

Liverpool have issued a strong response after defender Ibrahima Konaté was subjected to racist abuse online following their emphatic win over Galatasaray, in a match that also left Victor Osimhen facing an injury lay-off, Footynaija reports.

The Liverpool centre-back was heavily involved in a dramatic night at Anfield as the Premier League side sealed a 4-0 victory to advance in the UEFA Champions League. However, the aftermath of the game was overshadowed by abuse directed at Konaté on social media, including racist messages.

“Liverpool FC is appalled and disgusted by the vile and abhorrent racist abuse directed at Ibrahima Konaté on social media,” the club said in a statement. The Merseyside club added that it continues to monitor such incidents and has urged platforms to take firm action against offenders.

The controversy followed a series of flashpoints during the match, including a collision between Konaté and Osimhen that resulted in the Nigerian striker suffering a fractured arm. The impact forced Osimhen to continue briefly before being withdrawn at half-time, ending Galatasaray’s hopes of mounting a comeback.

Osimhen has since travelled to Nigeria, where he will decide on the next steps in his treatment. Reports indicate that his arm has been placed in a cast, with doctors waiting for the swelling to reduce before making a final call on surgery. Should an operation be required, the forward could be sidelined for around six weeks.

That timeline would rule him out of several key domestic fixtures and leave him in a race to recover in time for a crucial clash later in April. He has already been left out of Nigeria’s upcoming international friendlies.

Osimhen has been excellent for Galatasaray this season, registering 19 goals and seven assists across all competitions.