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Can Ben Woodburn force his way into the Liverpool first-team picture this year?
It is a dangerous game to hype up the talents of a young footballer after just a small number of games. The path from wonderkid to bona-fide world-class star is not one that is set in stone. Many players who have been amongst the best of their generation have not gone on to reach the pinnacle at senior level. This also works conversely, with there being myriad examples of players who have developed into a world-class talent when very few saw it coming.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has been in football long enough to know this, and the coyness of his recent comments regarding 16-year-old attacker Ben Woodburn are no surprise. The Chester-born starlet has impressed so much in both of the Reds opening friendlies against Fleetwood Town and Wigan Athletic that there have been calls for him to be involved within the first-team set-up this season. Reports from those who have been at both games certainly suggest that he has been impressive, but can he force himself into the first-team picture this season, and is Klopp the man to help him progress?
To begin with, Woodburn can play anywhere across the frontline, and despite only finishing his GCSEs earlier in the summer, was awarded the chance to shine in Liverpool’s opening two pre-season friendlies. He has repaid the faith placed in him with a goal in each of these games, and already those on the red side of Merseyside are beginning to get excited about what the future has in store for the young man.
When asked, after the Wigan match, whether Woodburn would feature in his plans for the upcoming season, Klopp replied, “Of course not. Ben is 16. Of course not.” Whilst these comments certainly take pressure off of the player during an important time in his development, it must surely be tempting to throw him in order to see what he can do. The Liverpool boss displayed a willingness to give youth a chance in cup competitions last season, so Woodburn will certainly be hopeful of first-team involvement at some point during the campaign.
Of course, performances in no-pressure games against lower league opposition should be taken with a pinch of salt. Many a youngster has impressed in such a situation before struggling when given the chance in a competitive environment and at a crucial time in Woodburn’s development it may be best for him to remain out of the limelight for now. Comparisons with Aaron Ramsey have already been drawn, which clearly show how highly he is thought of within certain sectors.
Even if Woodburn is given a chance then he will have to displace the likes of Coutinho, Roberto Firmino and Adam Lallana to earn his spot in the side on a more permanent basis. The signing of Sadio Mane from Southampton this month means that Liverpool are now spoilt for choice in attacking positions, and whilst the mere prospect of training with these players will be exciting enough, a regular run in the side may be too much to ask from the youngster.
Woodburn is rated as the most promising prospect in the current Liverpool youth setup and Klopp will be hoping that he is not the only talented youngster coming through in Kirkby. He will get another chance to build on his eye-catching start to his Reds career against Huddersfield Town on Wednesday night, and if he can continue playing the way he has been then he will give his manager no other option but to throw him in this season.
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