Realistic Expectations for Taiwo Awoniyi at Liverpool in 2015/16

Liverpool signed Nigerian under-20 striker Taiwo Awoniyi shortly before the summer transfer window closed, then immediately loaned him to German 2. Bundesliga side FSV Frankfurt.

Such a loan move is designed to help the 18-year-old secure a UK work permit.

Awoniyi was one of four teenagers signed by Liverpool this summer, as the club looks to bolster their youth ranks with talented players with potential.

Also arriving was Brazilian midfielder Allan Rodrigues de Souza (Internacional) and strikers Brooks Lennon (Real Salt Lake) and Bobby Adekanye (Barcelona).

Allan has moved on a similar loan deal as Awoniyi, joining Finnish side Seinajoen Jalkapallokerho for the season. The duo are two of the 18 players Liverpool now have out on loan as they seek to give their promising youngsters competitive football in order to aid their development.

"I’ll try to develop myself very well so that when I come back to Liverpool I’ll be able to add value to the team," Awoniyi told the official LFC website upon his signing.

"When I’m in the red shirt, I will always give my very best to make the fans happy."

FSV Frankfurt

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FSV are a steady team in Germany's second-tier, finishing 13th in four of the last five seasons—the other saw them finish in an above-average fourth place. They'll be looking to push on into the top half of the table this season and Awoniyi is one of six loan signings they have made to aid that.

They've started the new season in similarly mid-table fashion; winning two, losing two and drawing the other in their five opening games.

Just four goals scored in those five games is a poor return, though—something Liverpool fans are familiar with since the Reds have scored just two goals from their opening four games. The addition of Awoniyi will hopefully boost their goal return.

Awoniyi

Awoniyi has been tipped for success by compatriot Nwankwo Kanu, with the Nigerian legend writing on Twitter earlier this year that "if he keeps doing his best he will be a star."

"

Watched him play for U17/U20 and talked to him, our hottest kid and if he keeps doing his best he will be a star.AWONIYI

— Kanu Nwankwo (@papilokanu) April 14, 2015"

Awoniyi appears to be a level-headed young man who values education and intelligence—something that could ensure that the move to a foreign country at such a young age is a smooth process. He is described by Jack Lusby of This Is Anfield as an "intelligent, well-grounded young player," who "still harbours hope of earning a university degree in the future."

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Lusby also explained how Awoniyi's development for his country is expected to see him quickly involved in the Super Eagles' senior squad, "with his trajectory following that of fellow high-profile forwards Isaac Success and Kelechi Iheanacho—players he starred alongside as Nigeria won the under-17 World Cup in 2013."

Moving from Africa to Europe is a big move for anybody, especially aged just 18, so it would be unrealistic to expect Awoniyi to immediately settle at FSV. Plenty of senior, established internationals, have struggled to transition following such a move, let alone an inexperienced teenager.

It would be more realistic to expect Awoniyi to slowly develop at the German side, find his feet at a higher level and standard of football, and then make cultural adaptations off the pitch.

He should be looking to force his way into FSV's starting XI toward the end of the season, then looking forward to his first experiences in and around the Liverpool squad next summer in pre-season.

The likelihood is that another loan spell will then beckon for the youngster.