Revenge! Taiwo Awoniyi scores to condemn former club Liverpool to 3rd defeat

Super Eagles striker Taiwo Awoniyi has taken his pound of flesh on Liverpool for his unfulfilled Premier League dream at the Anfield Stadium.

Awoniyi scored the only goal of the afternoon as Nottingham Forest grabbed a massive 1-0 victory over Liverpool on Saturday afternoon at the City Ground.

The Nigeria international was on Liverpool's books for 6 years between 2015 and 2021, never making an appearance for the Reds, instead going on loan on seven separate occasions.

At the first opportunity to face his former club, Awoniyi got the nod of Nottingham Forest manager Steve Cooper to start against the Reds in the Premier League's early kick-off on Saturday.

Awoniyi was flanked by former Manchester United forward Jesse Lingard and ex-Wolverhampton Wanderers forward Morgan Gibbs-White while on-loan Manchester United goalkeeper Dean Henderson was in goal again.

Liverpool dominated the opening exchanges as well as all of the first half, gobbling up 74% possession away at the City Ground.

Nottingham Forest's game plan was to catch Liverpool on the counter-attack and they did that well, having more shots on target three (3) than Liverpool's two (2) in the first half.

It was the same tactic that gave Nottingham Forest the lead in the 55th minute with a break from Cooper's side ending up in Liverpool's box where Awoniyi had two takes before putting the ball past Allison in the Liverpool goal. 

Klopp brought in Trent Alexander-Arnold, Jordan Henderson, and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain but Nottingham Forest goalkeeper Dean Henderson was in inspired form as the 22-year-old made seven (7) saves to keep the rampaging Liverpool side at bay.

Bagging only their second win of the season, Nottingham Forest are now off the foot of the table with nine (9) points, albeit having played one more game than Leicester City and Wolverhampton Wanderers. 

Awoniyi had an impressive performance against Liverpool, tallying two (2) shots on target, one (1) off target and hitting the woodwork once. 

The Super Eagles striker linked up well with his strike partners, playing three (3) key passes and creating one (1) big chance as well as recording an 87.5% pass accuracy.

Awoniyi also contributed his bit defensively, winning three (3) of the seven (7) duels he contested, putting in one (1) tackle and drawing one (1) foul from the Liverpool defence. 

The Nigeria international has now scored three (3) goals in the league this season, with all three goals coming at his home stadium, City Ground.

Nottingham Forest will return to action on Sunday, October 30 when they travel to the Emirates Stadium to take on current league leaders Arsenal.