Reports have emerged that Liverpool winger, Ben Woodburn will be allowed to leave on loan in the January transfer window by club manager, Jurgen Klopp. The German will sanction the move only if he is promised regular team football for the remainder of the season.
Huddersfield Town has been reported to be the most likely destination with Sunderland also in the running to land the teenager’s services.
Woodburn has failed to make a senior team appearance this season for the Reds with the likes of Sadio Mane and Philippe Coutinho ahead of him in the pecking order. However, he has been impressive for the U-23 side with 3 goals and 3 assists in 12 appearances this season.
After coming right through Liverpool’s academy, Woodburn signed his first professional contract with the Reds in November 2016 after impressing in that summer’s pre-season, including a goal in a 5-0 friendly win over Fleetwood Town.
Woodburn has been blessed with scorching pace on the wings and a keen eye for finding the back of the net. Predominantly a winger, he can play in the number 10 role as well behind the striker. The 18-year-old’s talents will be a major boost for many clubs in the second half of the season.
Huddersfield Town are currently in the 11th spot of the points table and has so far displayed great resolve to prove every doubter wrong. David Wagner’s men held Southampton to a 1-1 draw in their midweek fixture at the St. Mary’s stadium after delivering a 4 goal thrashing to Watford last Sunday.
They will have to rival the interests of Chris Coleman who coached Woodburn while managing the Wales national team.
A move to the Championship, however, can be ruled out if Huddersfield Town can convince the Chester-born attacker to play for them and help them survive a season in top-flight English football. They can utilise Woodburn’s talents up top and finish way above the relegation spot, the perfect way to announce their presence in the Premier League.
However, with Rajiv van La Parra, Collin Quaner and Laurent Depoitre already the first choice players to appear for the side, Woodburn might not be guaranteed a regular start. Sunderland can beat Huddersfield in that aspect with most of their attackers failing to make a mark in the current season. Since that is the primary objective of Klopp to see the teenager gets maximum outing during his loan spell, it will be interesting to see who ends up landing the services of Woodburn.
