“It didn’t happen” – Taiwo Awoniyi opens up on his time at Liverpool

Super Eagles and Nottingham Forest striker Taiwo Awoniyi has opened up on his time with Liverpool as a youngster, Afrik Foot reports.

The 28-year-old moved to Anfield after impressing during the 2013 FIFA U-17 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates, winning the competition alongside Kelechi Iheanacho and Dele Alampasu.

Two years later, he won the African U-20 Championship with the Nigerian U-20 team in Senegal, while playing in the FIFA U-20 World Cup in New Zealand.

That summer, Liverpool forked out £400,000 to sign Awoniyi from the Imperial Soccer Academy, but in his six years at the club, the Nigerian never made an official appearance for the Reds.

Taiwo Awoniyi speaks on Liverpool experience

Awoniyi was immediately loaned out to German side FSV Frankfurt after penning a deal with Liverpool.

Loan spells to NEC Nijmegen in Holland, Royal Excel Mouscron in Belgium, Gent, Mainz 05 and Union Berlin.

He’d eventually join Union Berlin permanently in 2021 for £6.5m, and in the same season, became the club’s record Bundesliga scorer with 20 goals.

The Nigerian returned to the Premier League in 2022, signing for Nottingham Forest, but has nothing but positive things to say about his time with the Merseysiders.

“Being with Liverpool helped me be who I am today as well. Like I said, I always wanted to play in the Premier League and play in England, and in joining Liverpool I had that opportunity,” the 28-year-old said in quotes revealed by Nottingham Forest official website.

“I was hoping to play, but it didn’t happen, so I had to go on loan, which was challenging. I had a number of loans in different countries, but it helped me to understand different cultures and different people.

“It also helped me understand more about football and experience what players can go through when they’re on loan.

“I was still young and going through it with the hope of making it in the Premier League. The loans helped me develop as a player, but after all those moves I said to myself that that would be the last,” Awoniyi said.

Despite failing to make a Premier League experience, the ex-Liverpool man showed some respect to the Reds when he scored against them in 2022, refusing to celebrate.

“He had a sensational development. He has arrived where he belongs and I am happy for him, but not today so much,” then Liverpool coach Jurgen Klopp said about Awoniy’s goal.

Taiwo Awoniyi has gone on to score 20 goals in 96 appearances for Nottingham Forest across all competitions, but injuries have plagued his time at the City Ground.