Liverpool starlet Ben Woodburn has admitted that he needs to be a more versatile player in order to gain the trust of club manager Jurgen Klopp for the big matches.
The 18-year-old has only featured for the first-team on one occasion this season which came in a 45-minute cameo in the Carabao Cup defeat at the hands of Leicester City back in September.
However, the forward has impressed with his performances in the youth-team, contributing with one goal and three assists in all competitions so far.
The teenager made his breakthrough into the Liverpool first-team last season, where he managed to make a total of nine senior appearances.
Woodburn scored his first ever goal for the Reds in last season’s EFL Cup tie against Leeds United at Anfield to become the club’s youngest ever goalscorer.
Speaking in an interview with the Times, the youngster revealed that he needs adapt to new positions in order for Klopp to give him more time on the football pitch.
“I just want to show the manager that he can trust me in games,” he said.
“Big games. Try and get as many games on the pitch and hopefully, in a few years or whatever, get a proper place in the team.
“He likes everyone rotating, different movements. You can end up anywhere really. If he can trust you in a few positions you’ve got more chance of playing.”
OPINION
Woodburn must be well aware that he needs to be patient in order to earn a regular spot in this Liverpool first-team. The youngster is an attack-minded player and with the likes of Philippe Coutinho, Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane around, it will be extremely difficult for him to break through the ranks this season. However, Woodburn will be encouraged after seeing youngsters such as Joe Gomez and Trent Alexander-Arnold enjoy regular football with the senior squad. He just needs to bide his time and as he himself mentioned, he might need to become more flexible in order to earn his manager’s attention.