Awoniyi’s goal sinks Liverpool

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Anthony Nlebem.

Super Eagles striker Taiwo Awoniyi was the hero at the City Ground on Saturday as the Nigeria international goal gave Nottingham Forest their second Premier League win against Liverpool.

Ayoniwi scored the game’s only goal 10 minutes after halftime as Jurgen Klopp’s side suffered a shock setback after beating Manchester City last week.

The win moved Forest off the bottom of the Premier League table, while Liverpool remain seventh. James St Denis rated the players from both teams.

Awoniyi, a former Liverpool player who left Anfield in 2021 without making a single appearance punished the Reds with his stunning goal.

Liverpool was very poor as Virgil van Dijk wasted their best chance – and remain without an away league win this season.

Forest keeper Dean Henderson produced a superb save to palm away a Trent Alexander-Arnold header in the final 10 minutes.

Liverpool are 11 points behind leaders Arsenal having played one game more while Forest, who are 19th, move above Leicester.

Forest have endured a difficult start to their first season back in the Premier League, but this was a day to remember as they thoroughly deserved their victory over a flat Liverpool.

Forest slumped to the bottom of the table on Thursday with Leicester’s win over Leeds, boss Steve Cooper will hope this is a season-changing win.

Despite their struggles since winning promotion, Forest awarded Cooper a new contract until 2025 this month.

Forest took the game to Liverpool from the first whistle and, by the time referee Paul Tierney blew for full-time, they had run themselves into the ground after a performance born out of aggression, energy and desire.

They have got into a habit of conceding leads this season – most notably when they led Bournemouth 2-0 only to lose 3-2 – but survived some frantic late Liverpool pressure to secure a famous win.

Forest are back in action on Sunday October 30 when they travel to Arsenal.