Record-making Super Eagles star reveals two things he learnt from Liverpool’s Salah, Mane

The Liverpool stars have been some of the most successful players in the world over the past few years, and they have become a source of inspiration for one of Nigeria’s in-form forwards

Nigerian international Taiwo Awoniyi has been left in awe by the character and attitude to work of Liverpool’s Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah, Jordan Henderson, and James Milner.

Awoniyi left Liverpool permanently this summer after a six-year association with the club. The 24-year-old may have been a little hurt by how his time with Reds ended, having not made a single competitive appearance for the senior team.

But instead of regret for not getting the chance to play alongside some of the best footballers on the planet, Awoniyi is focused on the lessons drawn from the life of Mane, Salah, and other Reds’ heroes.

Two character traits that strike Awoniyi about the Liverpool stars are their humility and unalloyed commitment to work despite winning several trophies in their careers.

“Sadio was always telling me things about life. Previously, I always looked at him from afar, but as I got closer, everything they say about him is true,” Awoniyi told ESPN.

“It’s the same with Mohamed Salah and Naby Keita. They are so down-to-earth, laughing and chilling with you. That tells you, regardless of their achievements, you just have to stay humble, stay grounded, and on your feet.

“The same went for Jordan Henderson, James Milner, and others. They have won so many trophies, but so down to earth. When it’s work time, it’s work time; when it’s play time, it’s play time.”

Awoniyi has been brilliant for Union Berlin since arriving from Liverpool on a permanent deal in the summer.

The one-cap Super Eagles striker has notched eight goals for the Iron Ones in 13 Bundesliga games. His latest strike against Hertha Berlin at the weekend elevated him into the record books as Union Berlin’s top goalscorer ever in the German top-flight.