Awoniyi did what we asked him to do against van Dijk, and Liverpool – Forest coach

Nottingham Forest head coach Steve Cooper has revealed that Taiwo Awoniyi did what he was asked to do against XI against Virgil van Dijk, and Liverpool.

Steve Cooper has revealed that Taiwo Awoniyi was brought back into the team starting XI against Liverpool to terrorize Virgil van Dijk.

Taiwo Awoniyi, a former reds, scored the only goal of the game as Nottingham Forest secured a shocking 1-0 win against Liverpool at City Ground on Saturday.

A deep cross from Morgan Gibbs-White was sent wide for Steve Cook, who sent a low cross into the box for Awoniyi, who crashed a first-time effort against the woodwork before reacting quickest to fire home the rebound from close range.

Taiwo Awoniyi goal against Liverpool

The goal and Taiwo Awoniyi’s general performance showed that coach Cooper’s decision to bring back Taiwo Awoniyi who had played just 12 minutes in Forest’s last three Premier League games was the right call.

“Taiwo worked so hard,” said Cooper as quoted by The Mirror.

“We played him today as we thought he could be a handful for Virgil van Dijk.

“He really proved to be that and deserved his goal.

“If he didn’t celebrate, I’ll support whatever a player decides to do.”

Goal against Liverpool was Taiwo Awoniyi’s third goal of the season his third for Nottingham Forest making him the first player in the club’s history to score in each of his first three home starts in the Premier League.