Awoniyi still optimistic on Liverpool debut
Nigeria junior international and Union Berlin ace Taiwo Awoniyi remains optimistic he will play for parent club Liverpool some day in the future.
Awoniyi is yet to play for the Reds since joining the side in 2015.
Awoniyi is yet to make his first appearance for Liverpool amid a six-year wait for a UK work permit but he has high hopes for his career with the Premier League giants.
Union Berlin’s on-loan Liverpool winger Taiwo Awoniyi remains determined to prove himself to Jurgen Klopp despite having been ineligible to feature for the Reds since joining in 2015.
The 23-year-old is yet to secure a work permit in order to play Premier League football, a setback which has seen him shipped out on loan a number of times to the likes of FSV Frankfurt, Mainz and now Union Berlin.
He has impressed this season in the German capital, establishing himself as a regular member of the side and scoring five times in the process.
Despite his forced absence from Klopp’s first-team plans, Awoniyi has revealed that he is still aiming to force his way into the side once his work permit fiasco is finally resolved.
“Liverpool will always be the priority for me and I am grateful to everyone at the club,” he told World Soccer Magazine.
“I still don’t have the work permit to play in England. But with the new rules in place, and the minutes 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 decide my next step.”
Awoniyi’s career to date as a loanee journeyman has seen him turn out for clubs in the Netherlands and Belgium, as well as in Germany.The 23-year-old has five goals and three assists in the Bundesliga this season
“Liverpool is a very special club,” said Awoniyi. “They are always in contract to see how I am doing and to ensure I know that they are also following my progress out here.
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“It motivates me to know my parent club is following up and have my best interests at heart.
“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.”