Taiwo Awoniyi, a striker for Nottingham Forest, stated that he has “dreamed” of representing Liverpool at Anfield.
Awoniyi, who joined Forest for £17 million in 2022, has been an excellent performer thus far, tallying 13 goals in the Premier League.
The Nigerian could have been scoring goals for Liverpool if things had gone differently. He joined the Reds in 2015, although he was never able to play for the team due to work permit concerns.
Awoniyi has been discussing his previous aspirations of playing for Liverpool with liverpoolfc.com ahead of Forest’s scheduled visit to Anfield tomorrow.
“It’s been a long journey!” says the 26-year-old, of his rise to being a fully fledged Premier League striker.
“Last season playing at Anfield 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 talks about Anfield’s dream
It’s amazing to watch Awoniyi succeeding at Forest since he was turned down for a career at Liverpool.
It also raises questions about why the Reds decided not to keep him in the end, but it also validates their choice to take a chance on him all those years ago.
Liverpool is aware of the Nigerian’s potential since he scored the game-winning goal at the City Ground against them the previous season.
Awoniyi is still only 26, but if he can find his game again this season, there’s a chance he may land a bigger contract.
He will undoubtedly no longer be able to play for Liverpool at Anfield, even if that turns out to be the case.
Nevertheless, Awoniyi is ready to play tomorrow after recovering from a recent injury setback.
He will require caution from the Reds. Ibrahima Konate had a rough year at the hands of the Nigerian international last year, and the Frenchman will need to step up his game on Sunday.
However, Liverpool’s home form is outstanding, so the odds are still very much in their favour. Awoniyi will still make every effort to realise another dream, though: scoring at Anfield. Hopefully, that doesn’t occur.