On his fifth loan in four years, Taiwo Awoniyi is getting a bit fed up with moving around constantly, but there’s one thing at the back of his mind that keeps him going: playing for Liverpool.
The Nigeria U23 international recently scored his sixth goal in seven games since joining Mouscron for the second time in two years, and he’s enjoying himself, which is his main goal in life.
Sitting down with Sport/Foot, the goalscorer opened up about the struggles of changing teams so regularly.
He said: “Every year, you don’t only swap clubs, but countries. You also have to adapt in new places. It isn’t easy for you or your family. It’s hard to start from scratch every time, but that’s how it is.
“I need to continue to fight for my future. That’s what keeps me going. If I work enough, I’ll be able to find a place where I can stay, settle down and I hope it will be in England”.
With three years left on his current deal with the Reds, Awoniyi hopes he’ll be able to make it at Anfield before that runs out, but he’s also prepared to go on three other loans if it means he gets to reach his goal.
If he doesn’t, he won’t lose sleep over it.
He continued: “To be honest, I’ll live if I don’t play for Liverpool. I chose them because it’s my dream to play in England and at Liverpool, but if it doesn’t happen, I’ll always be grateful to them for finding me and my talent.
“It was a special transfer for me: leaving Nigeria to directly go to Liverpool. That doesn’t happen often, but I’ve never felt like a prisoner here”.
We’ll have to wait and see what the future holds for Awoniyi, but it seems the Reds are fully aware they could have a special talent on their hands, different to any other option they have in their squad at the moment.
First, however, he needs a work permit, and that’s what all these loans are for.
