Ben Woodburn ‘put in a standout display against Osasuna’, writes the Athletic’s Caoimhe O’Neill, which saw Liverpool’s coaching staff ‘blown away.’
The 21-year-old is entering the final year of his deal with the Reds and so it would be risky to reject any decent offers.
Yet, as O’Neill writes, Liverpool feel a loyalty to their Welsh midfielder as he has been at the club since he was seven years old.
He was fantastic against Osasuna and it was actually the best I’ve seen him play – the trivela pass he played to spread the play in the second half was gorgeous.
KIRKBY, ENGLAND – AUGUST 22: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Ben Woodburn of Liverpool and Tom Dawson of Middlesbrough in action during the Liverpool v Middlesbrough U18 Premier League game at the Liverpool FC Academy on August 22, 2015 in Kirkby, England. (Photo by Nick Taylor/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Liverpool’s coaching staff, comprised of head coach Jurgen Klopp and assistant coaches Pep Lijnders and Peter Krawietz have been ‘blown away’ by Woodburn, who is ‘performing on a level they have not seen from the player previously.’
The 21-year-old is described as “out of this world” and O’Neil writes for the Athletic “he has been credited by Klopp and Co as helping raise the level of the sessions.”
Liverpool willing to accept ‘serious offers’
With Liverpool’s position that ‘a serious offer might change‘ their stance, I’ll go back to what I wrote this morning when I covered quotes from Pep Lijnders.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – JULY 22: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Jurgen Klopp manager of Liverpool embracing Pep Lijnders assistant manager of Liverpool in the dressing room after winning the Premier League. (Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
It seems odd that the assistant manager would tell the club’s official website that he has ‘an Anfield future‘ only for him to be sold soon after.
It wouldn’t be the first time it happened but Lijnders comes across as a genuine guy and doesn’t strike me as the type to not follow through on things once he’s said them.
Woodburn almost certainly won’t stay at Liverpool this season but is expected to go out on loan and if he does leave permanently, at least he’s still very young.
Ben Woodburn of Liverpool shooting to goal during the pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and CA Osasuna at Anfield on August 9, 2021 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
The 21-year-old should aim to join a Premier League club if he can to ensure that his career trajectory is on an upward path.
Liverpool would look to get a decent fee for him but given his lack of experience and contract situation, it’ll be tricky.
