Awoniyi impresses but Forest’s relegation concerns deepens after loss to Liverpool :: All Nigeria Soccer

Super Eagles strikers Taiwo Awoniyi and Emmanuel Dennis were in action Saturday in Nottingham Forest’s 3-2 away defeat against Liverpool at Anfield. 

 

Awoniyi started from kickoff on his 21st Premier League game of the season and had some eventful moments while Dennis came off the substitute bench in the 87th minute. 

 

Early on the game, Awoniyi was clear on goal, in the 15th minute but saw the ball cleared for corner by Ibrahima Konate. 

 

Liverpool were close to grabbing the opener in the 23rd minute when midfielder Fabinho skied the ball side after a, Mohamed Salah pass at the edge of the box. 

 

Awoniyi was in midfield to pick up the ball with 25 minutes on on the clock as Forest launched a counter attack albeit the Reds quickly turned ball over and went in search of the goal themselves.

 

The Nigerian was back helping in defence as Liverpool got two corner kicks in the 43rd minute but the first half ended on a scoreless note. 

 

Barely two minutes into the second half, Jota grabbed Liverpool’s first goal as he headed home from a Trent Alexandre-Arnold’s corner kick. 

 

Morgan Gibbs-White went close to getting his name on the scoresheet afterwards with a rasping shot which Alisson parried away but the away side got back into the game with former Liverpool youngster Neco Williams with a brilliant effort after 50 minutes.

 

Jota was at hand again to double Liverpool’s lead in the 55th minute – his second brace in two successive games – with a shot that beat Keylor Navas despite the former Real Madrid and PSG goalkeeper’s attempted punch of the ball. 

 

Awoniyi produced an acrobatic overhead kick inside the Liverpool box but his effort went over the bar. 

 

Morgan-Gibbs White restored parity for Forest in the 67th minute but Mohamed Salah seemingly ensured victory for the Reds with 20 minutes left to play. 

 

Awoniyi was subbed off in place of Sam Surridge while Emmanuel Dennis was brought on for Felipe in the dying moments of the game. 

 

Dennis had a moment he bore down on goal but was stopped in his track by Virgil Van Dijk

 

Six matches to the end of the Premier League season, Forest are nineteenth in the table with 27 points accumulated.

 

 

Izuchukwu Michael

 

 

Photo Credit : liverpoolfc.com

 

    

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