Awoniyi: Jurgen Klopp still wants me at Liverpool

Nigeria Under 23 star, Taiwo Awoniyi believes he still has a prospect with the reigning Champions League winners, Liverpool despite his several loans away from the English giants since he joined them four seasons ago.

Awoniyi has gone on loan to FSV Frankfurt (Germany), NEC (Holland), Royal Excel Mouscron and Gent (both in Belgium before his latest move to Mainz in Germany but the Nigerian hinted that his failure at getting a work permit was the reason for his constant loan moves.
He said he was close to having at least pre-season activities with Liverpool but that the freak injury he sustained during the Pre-season ended that dream and that his discussion with the Reds handler, Jurgen Klopp and his subsequent move to the German League on loan to Mainz has given him the optimism that he could still play for the club next season or the season after that if his work permit application is successful.
“For me, Jurgen Klopp is the best coach so far that I have met in my career,” Awoniyi told Sportinglife.ng
“If not for an injury that I had during the Pre-season maybe Nigerians would have seen me on the tour of the United States with Liverpool in the pre-season but we had a discussion also and he talked quite good.
“This was why I went to Mainz because it was where Klopp started there. It is like his home and he said Taiwo you can go there and make it your home too. He said hopefully I would get my chance there and
that maybe in the next one or two years the work permit is given I could come back but if not I would have to move on with my career.
“I think the most important thing to say about that is that even Liverpool is even looking forward to me to get the work permit that will make me eligible to play in the EPL. I believe this just past summer they had the best opportunity to sell me to another club permanently because they had a lot of clubs that showed interest in me
but then they said they were not selling because they said they don’t need to sell me and that I am an amazing talent that could still blossom.
“This was the reason they kept me. I had other chance to go to still stay in Belgium but the club wanted another adventure for me and so they asked me to secure a move to Germany probably a step further will enhance my chance of getting a work permit. It is suggested that once you can do well in one of the top five leagues in Europe it could enhance the prospect of playing in the English League.
“I went to Liverpool because I want to play in England. The most important thing is to keep oneself ready at all time. Hopefully, If I get a work permit one day glory be to God but if not, I will still enjoy my football and keep on working hard.”

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Awoniyi was an unused substitute in his club’s 2-1 home win over Hertha Berlin where another Liverpool loanee, Marko Grujic scored the visitors’ lone goal.