Liverpool loanee Taiwo Awoniyi has rejected Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane.
Francis Achi from TribalFootball was granted an exclusive with the Nigerian, who is currently playing for Mainz in the Bundesliga.
The 22-year-old had an interesting 2019/2020 after splitting his time between two Belgian Jupiler League sides. After starting with Gent, Taiwo Awoniyi saw his game time nosedive and as a result of that the forward had his deal ripped up and he moved to Royal Excel Mouscron in the same league.
Suddenly things clicked and Liverpool fans started asking questions about the Nigerian. 13 goals in 18 games followed, which led to his latest move to Mainz.
Things have been trickier this campaign, with just 11 appearances and one goal. It took him until after the Bundesliga returned from the COVID-19 break to hit the back of the net, but that hasn’t stopped him harbouring Liverpool hopes.
But can he return to play at Anfield, and who does he model himself on?
Well, for someone with such limited professional success, Awoniyi isn’t afraid of striking out on his own and has rejected any comparison between Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah.
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He wants to be known for the things he does, which isn’t unusual. Although he does concede that they are inspirational people.
"“The truth is, I always just want to be me on the football pitch,” he said.“And the likes of Salah, Mane and (Roberto) Firmino prove everything is achievable, especially from Mane and Salah.“But Firmino is totally different and amazingly fantastic from many centre forwards that I have watched.”"
Even with the club unlikely to splash the cash this summer, the story of the Nigerian on Merseyside is surely coming to an end.
This is his sixth loan spell since joining Liverpool, and with no senior international minutes under his belt, that illusive work permit seems to be a long way away.
Even if he was granted one, there are a queue of players in his way. Harry Wilson is returning from his loan spell, Harvey Elliott is set to feature more and Xherdan Shaqiri may not be sold if the finances aren’t right.
It’s all well and good being your own man, but that will probably have to be away from Anfield.