Ben Woodburn marks likely final appearance for Liverpool U23s with a goal

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Ben Woodburn grabbed a goal for Liverpool U23s on Monday evening. It is likely his final appearance at the club.

Liverpool Under 23s signed off on their season with a win over Leicester City. The 2-0 result meant they leapfrogged Manchester United on the final day, securing a 7th-place finish in Premier League 2.

Captain Ben Woodburn got the first goal and it may well be a notable one. Surely, this is the end of his time with Liverpool.

Ben Woodburn gets his goal

Fans knew of Woodburn before he made his debut for the senior side. He was the brightest prospect at the academy and there was plenty of excitement when he got the first-team call up.

Woodburn was so talented, in fact, that there wasn’t that much hype about the other youngster getting into the matchday squads – Trent Alexander-Arnold. Woodburn, certainly, was the one to watch.

And that seemed particularly true when he scored on his Liverpool debut. The goal against Leeds United made him Liverpool’s youngest ever goalscorer, eclipsing Michael Owen.

And when you’re beating Owen for goal records as a teenager, you’re going to get some hype about you. And Woodburn certainly did.

He was playing for Wales – and scoring – ten months later. It seemed that Woodburn was on the path to superstardom. Then things started to stutter.

Woodburn only appeared twice the following season and then had a failed loan spell with Sheffield United in the Championship in 18/19. Then came an injury-hit spell with Oxford United.

This season was supposed to see Woodburn with Blackpool. It was a smart deal, given their manager is former Liverpool youth coach Neil Critchley. Unfortunately, it just didn’t work out either.

Woodburn returned to Liverpool in January and has played U23 football since.

We don’t know exactly what’s next for Woodburn but he surely can’t be playing U23 football next year. Not when he’s turning 22 and still hasn’t had a full season at senior level anywhere.

There’s a need to get this next loan – or sale – right, for the good of his career. And before long, he’ll be too old for U23 football.

It means this game against Leicester was likely Woodburn’s final in Liverpool colours. He’s miles away from the first-team and there won’t be a spot for him soon.

This isn’t the way anyone saw his career ending with Liverpool. Woodburn was supposed to be a superstar but will instead leave just to finally play senior football.

It’s a real shame but hopefully Woodburn can still find a place to establish himself and enjoy a fine career. The talent is there – there’s never been a doubt about that.