Forest Manager Gives Reason for Benching Awoniyi against Liverpool

Nottingham Forest, manager Nuno Espírito Santo has explained why Taiwo Awoniyi was not named in the starting lineup for their Premier League match against the striker’s former club Liverpool last weekend.

The Nigeria international entered the game as a substitute with 25 minutes left on the clock as Nottingham Forest searched for a winning goal.

Awoniyi missed nine consecutive matches played by Forest in the Premier League after a gravating a groin injury during Nigeria’s 2026 World Cup qualifying match against Lesotho.

The former Golden Eaglets and Flying Eagles striker has been overused for a player returning from a long-term injury, having started all but one game in the top-flight prior to the visit of Liverpool to the City Ground.

In the FA Cup, Awoniyi went the distance in a physically demanding game versus Manchester United and logged 56 minutes against Bristol City.

Nuno Espírito Santo couldn’t manage Awoniyi’s game time better because back-up striker Chris Wood was sidelined due to a hamstring injury.

Addressing the media at his pre-match press conference before the trip to Brighton & Hove, Nuno Espírito Santo told reporters: “He’s closer. Everybody knows what happened with Taiwo, it was a long-term injury, then he started playing more than he should due to the circumstances of the squad but he’s improving.

“I think the decision of not starting him against Liverpool) was related to the previous game in the FA Cup when he made ninety minutes.

“Short period of recovering but he entered the game well and he’s okay.”

Awoniyi has been involved in nine goals (6 goals, 3 assists) in 16 Premier League games so far this season.