According to a recent report by the Liverpool Echo, on-loan Liverpool starlet Ben Woodburn is currently facing a spell on the treatment table after sustaining an ankle injury during a training session with Sheffield United. The Reds youngster went out on loan to play for the Blades in search of regular first-team opportunities. However, he has suffered a significant setback and is now set to return to Melwood to continue with his rehabilitation in January.
Woodburn was on crutches with his left foot in a protective boot when he attended Liverpool’s 3-1 victory over Manchester United on Sunday evening. Liverpool Echo also states that the extent of the ankle injury is yet to be discovered, but it is expected that the 19-year-old would not be back until the new year.
The Chester born talent has made just seven appearances in the English Championship this season but is yet to find the back of the net. He has been a subject of limited first-team opportunities this term and has not featured for the Blades over the past month.
The Welsh teenager had graduated from the Liverpool academy but was not able to establish himself as a regular member of Jurgen Klopp’s match-day squad. His recent injury will derail his progress even more so he now needs to be mentally strong to come back in the new year as a better version of himself.
Klopp has proven in the past that he is willing to give young players a chance to shine if they are good enough. So Woodburn’s return to Melwood could open the door for him to stay for the remainder of the campaign and fight his way back into Klopp’s plans for next season.
The Liverpool boss needs more creativity from his midfielders which plays into Woodburn’s strengths as he can unlock a defence with a decisive pass in the final third. Hence, there is a slight chance that the Welsh wonderkid could recover from his injury and play a part in Liverpool’s potential title challenge in the second half of this campaign.
Thus, Woodburn’s return might just be a blessing in disguise for both the club and the player as his career was clearly going nowhere at Sheffield United.
