Speaking on the Liverpool Echo’s Blood Red podcast, Bundesliga expert Constantin Eckner has discussed how Liverpool loanee Taiwo Awoniyi is getting on at Union Berlin this season.
The Nigerian forward has been on Liverpool’s books for a number of years now, and despite his desire to play for the Reds, he’s struggled to get a work permit, meaning that he’s had to go out on loan a number of times.
His most recent loan spell has seen him plying his trade in the German capital, and it’s fair to say that he’s found his feet in Berlin, netting five times in 12 league appearances this season.
Eckner believes that Liverpool-owned Awoniyi has finally found his level and that he’s being utilised in the perfect way by the Bundesliga outfit.
“I think he’s found his level there, he’s what you would call a utility player, so he is perfect for the role they’ve given him. He works quite well for the Union Berlin system, which is also kind of direct, a lot of vertical passes, he makes a number of runs behind the backline,” Eckner said.
The journalist was then asked to compare him to another current player who Liverpool fans may know more about, to which he replied:
“That’s a hard one to come up with a good comparison, I mean, in a way he reminds me of Erling Haaland with the runs he makes behind the line.
“Of course, he’s nowhere near the level of Erling Haaland, but just his style is somewhat similar, and he’s a good, not great poacher inside the box, he’s a decent finisher at least.”
Liverpool have been linked with a move for Erling Haaland in recent times, so this is an interesting comment to say the least.
Awoniyi isn’t at Haaland’s level, very few strikers in the world are, but having a striker that direct, pacy and good at finishing would certainly be a boost for the Reds.
With Divock Origi constantly being linked with a move away, perhaps Awoniyi will get an opportunity to play a part for the Reds at some point. However, that, of course, depends on him getting a work permit.
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