Taiwo Awoniyi has expressed mixed feelings concerning his decisive goal for Nottingham Forest against Liverpool FC during the 2022-2023 Premier League season, hinting that it remains one of the most unforgettable moments of his career.
The striker, who won the 2013 FIFA U-17 World Cup with Nigeria, spent six years contracted to Liverpool without making a competitive appearance for the club before eventually joining Union Berlin on a permanent deal.
Awoniyi’s inability to secure a work permit at the time was linked to his lack of a senior appearance for the Nigeria national football team, preventing him from featuring in the Premier League during his spell with Liverpool.
While under contract with the Reds, the forward was sent on loan to several clubs across Europe, including FSV Frankfurt, NEC Nijmegen, Royal Excel Mouscron, Racing Genk, Mainz 05 and Union Berlin.
On matchday 13 of the 2022-2023 Premier League campaign, Nottingham Forest secured a 1-0 victory over Liverpool at the City Ground.
Awoniyi scored the only goal of the encounter in the 55th minute after reacting quickest to convert the rebound from his initial shot, which had struck the post.
Reflecting on the moment, the Nigerian international admitted the strike against his former club still holds special significance.
“Nottingham Forest 1-0 against Liverpool on October 22, 2022. Scoring against them is a bit of mixed feeling,” he said.
