Awoniyi: My decision to end my Liverpool journey has paid off

Taiwo Awoniyi says his decision to leave Liverpool after six years without ever having the honour of featuring in a
senior game has paid off and he is enjoying the challenge of playing for Nothingham Forest in the Premier League.

The Nigerian joined the Reds in August 2015 having impressed for Nigeria at the U20 World Cup in New Zealand and scored the two goals in Nigeria’s 2-0 defeat of Hungary in their final group game to book a ticket to the knockout round.

Work permit issues meant he would spend the majority of the next six years away from Merseyside, however. He was loaned to
FSV Frankfurt, NEC Nijmegen, Mouscron (twice), Gent, Mainz and, finally, to Union Berlin, whom he joined on a permanent
basis in 2021.

‘It’s been a long journey!’ Awoniyi, who is out of Nothingham Forest’s visit to Anfield on Sunday through injury tells Liverpoolfc.com.

‘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!’

His 11 goals last season – including a winner against the Reds at the City Ground – helped to ensure Cooper’s side avoided
relegation.

‘For me, going through all those clubs and all those stages, it was all with the aim of one day being back in the Premier
League,’ Awoniyi says. ‘I think in the end it was worth it, but I can say it was a tough journey.

‘Liverpool, I always say, is a family club. You develop as a person as well as a footballer, and I give so much credit to
Liverpool for the way they looked after me, all the time I was away. I’m forever grateful for that.

‘It was an important period, really good for me, and it was a big reason I was able to develop into the player and the
person I have.’