Nottingham Forest produced their best performance of the season to shock Liverpool 1-0 in the Premier League tie played today with the Reds ex-player, Taiwo Awoniyi scoring the lone goal.
The Unicorn and Imperial Academy product was brilliant in the lunch time fixture at City Ground and after being on the payroll of Liverpool between 2015 and 2021 without any official game, Awoniyi got his perfect revenge when he bundled home the only goal of the encounter in the 55th minute.
The former Liverpool forward found the opener that his performance deserved in the 55th minute. He latched on to a right wing cross and fired to the upright before reacting quickest to slam the ball home.
He was fouled for the free-kick near the halfway line. The free-kick was played wide right to Steve Cook, he dinked in a low cross and it fell to Awoniyi. His first shot bounced off the right post but he was the quickest to react to the follow-up and tucked it away.
It was a dream goal for the Super Eagles star who had relished playing against Liverpool.
Forest pushed for a second goal. Morgan Gibbs-White had time and space to shoot at goal from Awoniyi’s pass but it was a brilliant, sliding block by James Milner to divert it away for a corner, which Alisson got a hand to.
Roberto Firmino had a glorious chance for an equaliser as he was found free with a corner. He couldn’t move his feet quick enough though and his stooping header was wide of the post.
The headline of the day was Awoniyi, who scored the only goal of the against the team where he came through the ranks but never played a senior game. He came off to a great reception from the home fans and on came defender Joe Worrall in the 64th minute.
Liverpool continued to pile on the pressure as Jurgen Klopp prowled along the technical area.
The home fans were relieved this time as they smuggled clear a corner when Virgil van Dijk caused a threat.
Another save from Dean Henderson and it was going to be one of those days for Liverpool. Andy Robertson crossed from the left, substitute Trent Alexander-Arnold, coming in from the other flank, got his head on it but Henderson parried the effort. Mohamed Salah then blasted the rebound wide.
It was a breathless second half after a dull first half. Forest had another chance to wrap up the match, but Morgan Gibbs-White was denied by an excellent save from Alisson.
Liverpool couldn’t believe it. Trent Alexander-Arnold’s free-kick found Virgil van Dijk free at the back post, but he could only steer his volley wide.
Alisson nearly got the leveler there. The corner found Virgil van Dijk, the defender free 10 yards out headed at goal, it was a wonderful save from Dean Henderson. Alisson nearly got to put the rebound away but superb defending from Ryan Yates denied the goalkeeper from a goal.
There was great scenes of celebration. Forest off the bottom of the table thanks to Taiwo Awoniyi’s beautiful strike.
It was Awoniyi’s third league goal of the season and the win has lifted the Reds to nine points from 12 games.
Picture Credit: Nottingham Forest v Liverpool – The City Ground, Nottingham, Britain – October 22, 2022 Nottingham Forest’s Taiwo Awoniyi scores their first goal REUTERS/David Klein
