8 months ago
148 Gary Lineker has been speaking about Taiwo Awoniyi – who Liverpool sold in 2021 – where he made a claim involving Marcus Rashford.
The 63-year-old made the comments on BBC One during coverage of the FA Cup clash between Manchester United and Nottingham Forest on Wednesday.
So, what did Gary Lineker say about Taiwo Awoniyi? Let’s take a look…
Gary Lineker praises Taiwo Awoniyi
Well, the BBC Match of the Day host reckons Liverpool sold a striker who is “more of a natural” than Rashford.
Lineker said: “I think when you talk about players in the box, Awoniyi is more of a natural than Marcus Rashford. Not as talented clearly, but he is a goalscorer. He smells it.”
Liverpool were forced to cash in on the Nigeria international back in 2021 due to work permit issues.
Awoniyi struggled to obtain a work permit during his six years at Anfield, and was only granted one just as he was leaving for Union Berlin in July 2021 following seven loan spells away.
Liverpool made £6.5m from selling the 26-year-old.
Union Berlin ended up making a swift profit, selling Awoniyi to Nottingham Forest for £17.5m in June 2022.
Taiwo Awoniyi has shone since leaving Liverpool
Liverpool may not be reaping the rewards of the impressive scouting work it took to find Awoniyi from the Imperial Soccer Academy in 2015.
Nevertheless, Liverpool’s recruitment is clearly fantastic, as the Nigerian has proven himself to be one of the best strikers in the Premier League since returning to English football with Nottingham Forest in 2022.
Awoniyi is actually the Premier League’s most prolific goalscorer in terms of taking his chances – even ahead of Erling Haaland – with 16 goals in 42 appearances for Nottingham Forest so far.
Whoever at Liverpool found the Ilorin-born forward within the Imperial Soccer Academy deserves huge credit, to say the least.
The post 'Goalscorer': Gary Lineker says Liverpool sold 26-year-old who is 'more of a natural' than Marcus Rashford appeared first on TBR Football.
