Forest Lose Aina and Awoniyi Ahead of Crucial Liverpool Clash
Nov, 23 2025
Nottingham Forest’s hopes of maintaining their surprise Premier League momentum took a heavy blow as manager Sean Dyche confirmed on Wednesday, November 20, 2025, that Nigerian internationals Ola Aina and Taiwo Awoniyi will miss Saturday’s high-stakes away fixture against Liverpool at Anfield. The news, delivered during a press conference at the club’s training base in Nottingham, comes just days after Forest’s 3–1 win over Leeds United — a result that had fans dreaming of a top-six push. Now, with two key attackers sidelined, the reality check is brutal.
Two Nigerian Stars, One Crushing Blow
Ola Aina has been out since November 15, 2025, following hamstring surgery after a nasty injury during Nigeria’s World Cup qualifier against South Africa in Johannesburg. His absence was expected. But Taiwo Awoniyi’s setback? That stung. The 26-year-old striker had just returned to form, starting three straight matches and scoring twice in Forest’s 3–1 triumph over Leeds on November 9. Dyche called his impact ‘terrific’ — and now, just as he was re-establishing himself as a reliable finisher, he’s out again. The injury occurred during a routine training session on Monday, November 18, at the club’s facility in Nottingham. No details on the exact nature of the injury have been released, but Dyche confirmed Awoniyi ‘must now be assessed’.The Injury List Keeps Growing
This isn’t just about Aina and Awoniyi. According to Sports Mole’s injury report published on November 21, 2025, Nottingham Forest’s long list of absentees now includes:- Douglas Luiz (thigh)
- Chris Wood (knee)
- Angus Gunn (knee)
- Oleksandr Zinchenko (hip)
- Dilane Bakwa (unspecified)
- Callum Hudson-Odoi (doubtful, thigh)
That’s seven players ruled out or questionable. The club’s depth is being tested like never before. Dyche admitted several players, including Aina, are still in ‘individual rehabilitation’ — a phrase that sounds polite but screams desperation. The midfield, already thin after Luiz’s absence, now lacks physicality. The attack? Without Awoniyi, Forest’s main aerial threat and hold-up man is gone. And Hudson-Odoi’s doubtful status means the wing option they’ve relied on is also up in the air.
Who’s Left to Step Up?
With that list, Dyche’s predicted XI, published by Sports Mole on November 21, looks more like a last-resort lineup than a tactical choice. The expected starting eleven: Sels in goal; Savona, Murillo, Milenkovic, Williams in defense; Sangare and Anderson in midfield; and Ndoye, Gibbs-White, Hutchinson, and Jesus up front.That’s a front three with zero proven Premier League goal threat this season. Jesus, the Brazilian, has shown flashes but lacks physicality. Gibbs-White is a creator, not a finisher. And Ndoye? He’s a box-to-box midfielder playing as a forward. It’s like sending a gardener to fight a lion.
Liverpool’s Shadow Looms Large
This isn’t just any match. Liverpool, sitting fifth with 22 points from 12 games, are coming off a 3–0 thrashing by Manchester City on November 16. They’ll be hungry to rebound. And they’ll smell blood. Forest, meanwhile, are ninth with 18 points — a respectable position, but one built on grit, not glamour. Without Awoniyi’s physical presence, their ability to counter Liverpool’s high press evaporates. Without Aina’s pace down the right, their width is compromised. And with Luiz and Zinchenko out, the midfield can’t control the tempo.It’s not just about tactics. It’s about psychology. Forest fans were starting to believe. Now, they’re being asked to believe again — this time without their two most dangerous attackers.
What’s Next?
Dyche has a few options. He could push Jesus to lead the line and use Gibbs-White as a false nine. He could bring in Ben Brereton Díaz — a player who’s been on the fringes but has Premier League pedigree. Or he could go ultra-defensive, hoping to grind out a 0–0 draw and steal a point on the counter.But here’s the thing: Liverpool don’t lose at Anfield often. And when they’re off their game, they still win. Forest need more than hope. They need goals. And right now, they have none.
It’s a cruel twist. Just when Awoniyi looked like he’d turned the corner, he’s out. Just when Aina was supposed to return, he’s still rehabbing. And just when Forest were starting to look like they belonged in the top half, the injury gods intervened.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does this injury crisis affect Nottingham Forest’s chances against Liverpool?
With Ola Aina and Taiwo Awoniyi both out, Forest lose their two most dynamic attacking threats — Aina’s pace and crossing, Awoniyi’s physicality and aerial dominance. Their predicted lineup lacks a proven goal scorer, making it nearly impossible to break down Liverpool’s high line. Forest’s recent 3–1 win over Leeds relied heavily on those two; without them, scoring becomes a lottery.
What’s the timeline for Awoniyi and Aina’s return?
Ola Aina is recovering from hamstring surgery and won’t return before December. Taiwo Awoniyi’s injury is still being assessed, but initial reports suggest a minimum of three to four weeks — meaning he’ll miss at least the next three Premier League matches, including games against Brighton and Chelsea. Neither is expected to feature before the international break in early December.
Who are the most likely replacements for Awoniyi in attack?
Ben Brereton Díaz is the most logical option — he’s the only striker on the roster with Premier League experience this season, though he’s been used sparingly. Jesus is the likely starter, but his style is more creative than clinical. Dyche may also turn to youth prospect Ollie Cooper, though he’s never played a senior league game. None offer the physical presence Awoniyi brings.
Why is this injury blow worse than previous ones this season?
Because it hits at the peak of their form. Forest had just won three of their last five, with Awoniyi scoring in two of them. They were building momentum and belief. Losing two key players who were central to that momentum — especially with Luiz, Wood, and Zinchenko also out — turns a tough fixture into a potential disaster. This isn’t just depth; it’s a collapse of key pillars.
How does this impact Forest’s chances of finishing in the top half?
It’s a major setback. Forest are currently ninth with 18 points, just four off the top six. But with seven players out and a tough run of fixtures ahead — including Liverpool, Brighton, and Chelsea — they’re likely to drop points. Without goal-scoring options, they’ll struggle to win away games. A top-half finish now feels like a stretch unless Dyche finds a creative solution quickly.
Has this kind of injury crisis happened to Forest before?
Yes — in the 2022–23 season, Forest lost six key players to injuries in a five-week span during a crucial mid-season run, and they dropped from seventh to 12th. The club’s medical team has faced criticism for recurring hamstring and thigh issues. This latest wave echoes that period, raising questions about workload management and recovery protocols — especially after the World Cup break.