Liverpool want wonderkid Ben Woodburn to have guaranteed playing time at his loan club in the second half of the season amid Leeds interest, according to the Daily Mail.
The newspaper claim that the Yorkshire giants had made enquiries about bringing the Anfield striker sensation, 18, to Elland Road in January after Jurgen Klopp sanctioned a loan exit.
The Mail report that Leeds, Sunderland and Norwich City have made moves for the young Welsh flyer after Klopp decided to loan him out for the rest of the season, provided he is guaranteed significant playing time.
Woodburn burst onto the scene for Liverpool in a game against Leeds last season, becoming Liverpool’s youngest-ever goalscorer at the age of 17 years and 45 days as he slotted home at the near post to secure a 2-0 EFL Cup quarter-final win.
Good move for Leeds?
Yes. Woodburn’s eye for goal, mobility and appetite for the big occasion make him an exciting package and his former international manager Chris Coleman, who is in charge of Sunderland, is among the teenager’s most ardent admirers, saying, “He has all the attributes to go on and become a great player.” The key is for Woodburn to head to the correct club, where the team’s style will maximise his capabilities and he can get regular playing time. Can Leeds provide this? Given that they do not have an outstanding centre-forward, yes.
This Is Futbol rating 7/10
Likely to happen?
It is almost certain that Woodburn will go out on loan in January, as Roberto Firmino, Daniel Sturridge, Dominic Solanke and Danny Ings block his path to a first-team spot at Liverpool. The question is, where will he end up? Leeds are in with a chance, but Coleman has worked with the teenager before and this may be in Sunderland’s favour.
This Is Futbol rating 6/10