'Top-class' - Former Arsenal star rates Liverpool's Isak ahead of Osimhen but admits gap is narrow

Victor Osimhen reminded everyone of his quality by scoring the decisive goal for Galatasaray in their hard-fought victory over Premier League giants Liverpool in a UEFA Champions League clash on Tuesday night in Istanbul.

The Nigeria international was linked with Premier League clubs, including Liverpool in the summer transfer window, but the Reds prioritized the signing of Alexander Isak over the former African Footballer of the Year.

While Osimhen was acquired by Galatasaray for a fee of €75 million, Isak swapped Newcastle United for Liverpool in exchange for a British record transfer fee of €145 million. 

Former Arsenal midfielder Stewart Robson has weighed in on the ongoing debate over Europe's leading strikers, rating Liverpool forward Isak just ahead of Victor Osimhen but conceded that the Nigerian is not far behind.

Speaking after Galatasaray's victory over Liverpool, Robson praised Osimhen's all-round game while questioning why the Super Eagles star found himself in Turkey rather than leading the line for one of Europe's biggest clubs.

"There are lots of big clubs that should have taken him but didn't take the chance," Robson said on ESPN FC. 

"But what he showed tonight was a great awareness of where the space was. He kept pulling out down the side of Van Dijk into the space that Kerkez had left. He was good with his back to goal and a constant threat.

"Yes, he scored a penalty, but he's a top-class player. He's got energy, he's got pace, he's got strength as well, and he's not bad in the air."

Robson argued that when compared directly to Swedish striker Isak, the former Newcastle man edges it.

"So he (Osimhen) is a centre forward that if you look between Isak and him, I still would say Isak is slightly better, but he won’t be far off."

Isak has netted once since his move to Liverpool, while Osimhen has three goals to his name in five games.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

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