With the first week of January already past us, Liverpool are yet to sanction the loan move of their 18-year-old starlet, Ben Woodburn. The club just bid goodbye to their Brazilian ace Philippe Coutinho for an astronomical £142m fee and are currently scouting for replacements.
Reports had previously emerged that the Chester-born winger would be allowed to leave on loan in the January transfer window by club manager, Jurgen Klopp. The German would sanction the move only if he was promised regular team football for the remainder of the season.
Woodburn has made just one senior team appearance this season for the Reds in their 2-0 loss to Leicester City in the League Cup tie. With the likes of Sadio Mane and Philippe Coutinho ahead of him in the pecking order so far this season, a loan move was imminent. But it looks like the club has changed their minds and might not sign off on the deal.
Huddersfield Town was reported to be the most likely destination with Sunderland also in the running to land the teenager’s services.
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 ten 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. He has been impressive for the U-23 side with 3 goals and 3 assists in 12 appearances this season.
Sunderland’s manager, Chris Coleman, had previously worked with Woodburn in the Wales national team is greatly aware of the footballing intelligence the teenager possesses. Coleman gave Woodburn his international debut for Wales on which he scored after only 261 seconds in September’s World Cup qualifier against Austria.
Coleman has been tasked with the job of saving the season for the Black Cats, who are facing yet another relegation battle this season. With a lack of quality in the attacking lineup while also being well accustomed to the manager’s gameplay it would be easy for Woodburn to receive regular game time and make an impact on the side.
The Reds have pegged Riyad Mahrez as one of their top targets to fill the void left by the 25-year-old and might go all out to sign him up in the recent weeks. But this also puts a huge question mark over the future of Woodburn.
If they have still not agreed on the loan move, will he finally get a chance to prove himself with the second half of the season already upon us? Now that Coutinho is gone, his future at Anfield Stadium might not be as bleak as it appeared to be a week back.
