Liverpool loanee Taiwo Awoniyi admits he needed to move on from Belgium after two consecutive seasons.

The Nigerian has been unable to play for Liverpool since joining in 2015 due to his work-permit ineligibility.

He was sent out on loan to FSV Frankfurt and NEC in the Netherlands before arriving in Belgium with Royal Excel Mouscron.

It was with Les Hurlus where the physical striker established himself as a senior footballer at the age of just 20, scoring ten goals in his first spell with the club.

Awoniyi's next spell at Gent wasn't as prolific, having scored 3 times in 21 outings, and the loan was cut short in January 2019.

The 22-year-old then re-joined Mouscron and immediately regained his goalscoring touch, bagging himself 11 goals in 16 appearances.

Asked about why he was successful with Mouscron, Awoniyi told Tribalfootball.com: "Of course I played more games and got the chance I deserved. I had a great time in Mouscron.

"Football is about your presence being felt and making good use of the chances that comes your way and I think I had both while at Mouscron last season."

Some took it as a surprise that Awoniyi moved on from Belgium after his successful time in the Jupiler Premier League, instead moving to Bundesliga side Mainz on loan last summer.

And Awoniyi says it was a decision made between himself and Liverpool to take another step in his young career.

"I had two years in Belgium which were great seasons for me and there are lots of reasons why I chose to leave, but Mouscron will always be a club that I respect a lot.

"Leaving for me had always been the plan between me, Liverpool and my agent to fulfil my goals and targets, as I continue to develop my football."