Taiwo Awoniyi joined Liverpool in 2015, but is yet to secure a work permit
to play in the Premier League. A World Cup winner with Nigeria Under-17s,
the striker is doing his best to prove himself to Jurgen Klopp and his parent
club in his latest loan spell at Bundesliga underdogs Union Berlin“Liverpool
will always be
the priority
for me”
TAIWO AWONIYI
This loan at Union Berlin is
your seventh since joining
Liverpool – how does it
compare to your other stints
in Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium?
It’s always about how mentally and physically
prepared you are in every challenge. Germany
is a different ball game entirely in my opinion
but I think they all help in shaping me. The
German league, with all respect to the
Netherlands and Belgian leagues, is a bit
different and more competitive. The way teams
set up and the tactical aspect demands a lot
from the teams and players. I think it’s all about
growth and all these leagues have given me
something different.
Your last loan, with another German side
Mainz, ended when you suffered a
concussion in June 2020. Do you recall
that moment?
I always say that God used the referee [Marco
Fritz] to save my life on the pitch before the
brilliant medics intervened. The way I fell down
also helped according to doctors. I don’t really
remember it very well because one minute I
was on the pitch and the next thing I woke up
in hospital. I believe that’s the way that chapter
waswrittenbyGod.Iamstillheretoday
because I still have a lot to accomplish.This has been one of the best goalscoring
seasons of your career. What’s been the
pick of the bunch so far?
The goal against Cologne in our 2-1 away win.
It’s actually my first goal this season. Before this
match, I had played in games where everyone
praised me for my hard work and contributions
to the team. They said I should continue and
that the goals will come. It helped me a lot
mentally to know people appreciate the effort
despite not scoring. To finally get off the mark
against Cologne made it special for me.You’ve said that playing for Liverpool is
something out of your control due to work
permit challenges. Do you still feel that
way?
Liverpool will always be the priority for me and
I am grateful to everyone at the club. I still
don’t have the work permit to play in England.
But with the new rules in place, and theminutes I have played this season in Germany,
no one knows what the future holds regarding
the UK work permit.
If I become eligible to play in the UK, I think I
can have a say on what my decision will be.
Things have changed remarkably with the new
rules and this will certainly help me decide my
next step.Have you heard from Jurgen Klopp or any
positive words from Liverpool about your
performances in Germany?
Liverpool is a very special club. They are always
in contact to see how I am doing and to ensure
I know that they are also following my progress
out here. It motivates me to know my parent
club is following up and have my best interests
at heart.Do you think you need a permanent move
away from Liverpool to fulfil your Premier
League dream?
Presently I am still a Liverpool player until the
last day of my contract, but no one knows what
the future holds. My dream has always been to
play in the Premier League and it’s why I