EPL: Awoniyi was a handful for Van Dijk – Nottingham Forest manager, Cooper

Nottingham Forest manager, Steve Cooper, has revealed he felt Taiwo Awoniyi could give Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk a tough time when the two sides met in Saturday’s early kick-off.

The former Reds striker – who never played for the Anfield club because of work permit issues – scored the only goal of the game at the City Ground.

Awoniyi fired home a rebound from his shot 10 minutes after the break as Forest claimed a shock win.

The 25-year-old’s goal rounded off an impressive performance from the Super Eagles star, who hassled and harried van Dijk and Joe Gomez all game.

“‘T worked so hard. We played him today as we thought he could be a handful for Virgil van Dijk.

“He really proved to be that and deserved his goal.

“If he didn’t celebrate, I’ll support whatever a player decides to do,” Cooper said.