Taiwo Awoniyi Opens Up on Scoring Against Liverpool: ‘A Mixed Feeling I Will Never Forget’

Taiwo Awoniyi spent six years on Liverpool’s books without making a single first-team appearance for the club. Now a key figure at Nottingham Forest, the Nigerian international has opened up about the moment he scored against his former employers — a goal he describes as unforgettable, if bittersweet.

Speaking to Nottingham Forest’s official YouTube channel, Awoniyi reflected on the significance of that October 2022 fixture. “Nottingham Forest 1-0 against Liverpool on October 22, 2022. Scoring against them is a bit of a mixed feeling,” he said. “Unfortunately, I didn’t get to play for them, but scoring for Forest against them and looking at how much we were looking for the points at that time was something I will never forget as well.”

The goal came on matchday 13 of the 2022-23 Premier League season at the City Ground. With the score level, Awoniyi demonstrated sharp attacking instincts in the 55th minute, reacting quickly to convert the rebound after his own initial effort had struck the post. The strike proved to be the only goal of the game, delivering three vital points for Forest in what was a challenging debut top-flight campaign for the club.

Awoniyi’s inability to feature for Liverpool during his time at Anfield stemmed from work permit restrictions. Before earning a senior cap for the Super Eagles, he did not meet the criteria required to obtain a UK work permit, forcing the club to send him out on loan repeatedly. Across his six years as a Liverpool player, he was farmed out to FSV Frankfurt, NEC Nijmegen, Royal Excel Mouscron, KAA Gent, Mainz 05, and Union Berlin. It was at Union Berlin where he eventually secured a permanent move before Nottingham Forest brought him to the Premier League.

Forest signed Awoniyi in the summer of 2022 as the club prepared for their first top-flight season since 1999. His goal against Liverpool that October came at a pivotal moment in the season, with the newly promoted side in desperate need of points to establish themselves in the division.

Now in his fourth season at the City Ground, Awoniyi has grown into a consistent presence in Forest’s attacking line. According to recent reports, he has contributed three goals and two assists across his last five Premier League appearances, underlining his importance to Steve Cooper’s — and latterly Nuno Espírito Santo’s — setup at Forest.

The 27-year-old recently reached the milestone of 100 appearances for Nottingham Forest, a landmark the club formally recognised. His development from a player who never featured in competitive football for Liverpool to a established Premier League striker represents one of the more notable career trajectories in recent Nigerian football history.