27 Mar 2016

Boss Confirms: Liverpool are in 'constant contact' with 'wonderful' striker. Next Stop Anfield?

In November 2015, Liverpool snapped up Nigerian youngster Taiwo Awoniyi, who is currently on loan as FSV Frankfurt, and according to the club's boss, the Reds are keeping a close eye on the 18-year old striker's progress.

Speaking to TF this week, Of course, Clemens Krüger insisted that FSV are 'very satisfied' with Awoniyi's performances, and revealed that he and the club are 'constant contact with Liverpool'. He explained:

"We are reporting regularly Awoniyi's sporting development and on his appearances for the Nigerian under 23 national. The contact with Liverpool has been very good from the beginning".

Some info about Awoniyi:

* Mar 2016: Scored his first goal for FSV on the 18th March.

* Prior to signing for Liverpool, Manchester United 'reps' spoke with Awoniyi, but interest died off due to uncertainty over registration rights.

* Awoniyi is a Chelsea fan, and playing for the London club is one of his 'dreams'.

* Apr 2015: Kogi United's goalkeeper coach, Wasiu Lawal, told SL10: "He [Awoniyi] is a very wonderful striker. I give him all the credit for Nigeria’s qualification to the All Africa Games. The whole team did a very good job, but he stands tall".

* Oct 2013: Ghana legend Asamoah Gyan is also impressed, and after watching Awoniyi play for Nigeria, told FIFA.com: "I like him, that No18, Awoniyi, he is a good player. He does all the work up there and creates a lot.”

* Oct 2013: Helped Nigeria win the U17 World Cup.

* Nov 2013: Upon hearing Gyan's praise, Awoniyi enthused: “Wow. He [Gyan] is such a great striker and he knows that it isn’t always about scoring. You have to work hard so that your team-mates can get the goals.”

As noted many times, no foreign attacking player has ever made it through the Academy to become a first-team regular at Liverpool, so Awoniyi will face the same problems as countless others over the years.

On the plus side, he appears to have the right attitude to succeed, but like so many others, he may end up being corrupted by the pernicious greed at the heart of the modern game.

Until then, Awoniyi is a man of simple tastes, and in comparison to pampered, grossly overpraised players like Raheem Sterling, he is refreshingly down to earth. Indeed, after winning the U-17 World Cup, Awoniyi told FIFA.com:

“It [winning] changed the lives of most of us, many got clubs abroad and changed the lives of our families. I was able to build a house for myself, like most of the other players in the team.”

It remains to be seen whether Awoniyi will stay at Anfield next season, or be sent back out on loan, but I'll take a player with this attitude over Sterling and his blinged-up cronies every day of the week.


Author: Jaimie K


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