Jurgen Klopp has made a number of controversial decisions with his squad since he took over the Anfield outfit, more than two years ago. While his approach to the situation of Mamadou Sakho not so long ago shows that he is a ruthless manager, his approach to the situation of young Danny Ward shows the other side of his management.
The German loves to keep players that deserve first team chances close to the club and has avoided sending a number of players, who are still struggling to get into the first team, leave on loan. He does not put too much belief in the loan system and one player who might now benefit from it is young Ben Woodburn.
Klopp has completed the paperwork to send one of his signings, Marko Grujic, on loan to Cardiff City earlier this week but reports now claim that the manager is not ready to let the 18-year old Welsh starlet leave the club anytime soon.
According to reports, Woodburn is wanted by Sunderland’s Chris Coleman, who may even use him as his first choice. It was earlier reported that the Black Cats have a deal in principle but it is now understood that Klopp has blocked this loan move after he had to sell Philippe Coutinho earlier this month.
The Welsh international may not provide anything remotely close to what the Brazilian brought to Anfield but at just 18, he has already shown that he belongs at the highest level. A gifted footballer with a great understanding of the game, Woodburn has already announced himself in the international stage, with a screamer against Austria for his debut goal, not so long ago.
He has been at Liverpool all of this season but has managed just one start, in the League Cup. He has six appearances in the Youth League and 5 in the Premier League 2 for the Reds and Klopp seems convinced that he is a requirement for his side, for the rest of the season.
He is versatile, can play in the midfield, or in the attack, through the middle or on the wing. He is always up for a challenge and is a more than effective option to have, at least in the domestic games.
He is still 18 and exposure at the highest level will only allow him to grow as a player. He may have started week in week out at the Stadium of Light but playing for a struggling side, at the bottom of the Championship points table, might not have been the best step for him in his career.
If he is not sent out on loan beyond the deadline day, he will get his chances and if he can prove himself and put in impressive performances, he has a manager that is not afraid to use him in the first team regularly.
