Nottingham Forest star says playing at Anfield last season was a ‘dream come true’

Former Liverpool man Taiwo Awoniyi talks about Anfield as a Nottingham Forest player

Nottingham Forest is full of Liverpool connections. From Steve Cooper to Neco Williams and Divock Origi, the ties between the two clubs run deep. But there’s one name that often flies under the radar – Taiwo Awoniyi. The Nigerian striker spent six years at Liverpool without making a senior appearance.

Awoniyi arrived at Liverpool in August 2015, catching the club’s attention with his performances for Nigeria at the U20 World Cup in New Zealand. He shared the field with future stars like Kelechi Iheanacho and Wilfred Ndidi. However, work permit issues meant that he would spend most of the next six years away from Merseyside.

During his time away from Liverpool, Awoniyi was loaned to several clubs, including FSV Frankfurt, NEC Nijmegen, Mouscron (on two occasions), Gent, Mainz, and finally, Union Berlin, where he joined on a permanent basis in 2021. His spell at Union Berlin was particularly impressive and that eventually earned him a move to Nottingham Forest, where he could fulfil his dream of playing in the Premier League.

Awoniyi reflected on his remarkable journey speaking to Liverpool’s official website and talked about his experience of playing at Anfield albeit as a visiting player.

“Last season playing at Anfield [Forest lost 3-2 in April] was a dream come true. Of course I probably dreamed of playing there for Liverpool before I left, so playing there against them, it was a mixed feeling, I would say!”

Awoniyi’s impact at Forest was immediate. He scored 11 goals in the previous season, including a match-winner against Liverpool, at the City Ground. His contributions played a pivotal role in helping Steve Cooper’s side avoid relegation, marking an exciting chapter in his journey.

The intriguing case of Awoniyi

His resilience and determination are admirable qualities. Many players might have given up after spending six years away from the club that owned them, but Awoniyi’s commitment to the sport paid off. His path serves as a reminder that hard work, perseverance, and patience can eventually lead to the realisation of one’s dreams.

However, this weekend, when Nottingham travel to the Northwest, the 26-year-old will not have a role to play due to his groin injury.

Speaking of his comments about Anfield, almost everyone knows that Anfield is among the cathedrals of world football. It is obviously sad that Awoniyi could not turn up for the Merseysiders, but his connection with Liverpool remains as strong as ever.

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While Taiwo Awoniyi may not have had the opportunity to wear Liverpool’s famous red jersey in a competitive fixture, his journey from Nigeria to various European clubs serves as a remarkable story of determination and belief.