Ben Woodburn has confirmed he will not be staying at Hearts beyond the end of the season and will return to Liverpool – but he is set to become a free agent. Woodburn spent the 21-22 season on loan at Scottish side Hearts.
Woodburn, 22, has failed to live up to the hype after becoming Liverpool’s youngest-ever goalscorer when scoring against Leeds United in 2018. It is his only goal for Liverpool, in 11 senior games for the Merseyside club.
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He has since been on loan to Oxford United, Sheffield United and Blackpool. Last summer, he joined Hearts in what was really seen as a last chance to show Liverpool what he can do. He is out of contract at Anfield in June.
Clocking up 30 appearances for Hearts this season, he managed just three goals. Hearts have enjoyed an excellent season, qualifying for Europe and reaching the Scottish Cup final. But Woodburn confirms he is not staying.
Woodburn confirms Liverpool return after Hearts loan – exit likely
Woodburn is now set to return to his parent club after confirming as much, but it is only a matter of time before he leaves Liverpool again. His loan spell will not have convinced the Reds and at 22, he is not going to make it.
It is more than likely that Woodburn will now be allowed to become a free agent. Permanently leaving Liverpool in the coming months is expected to follow. A move to a Championship, or a League One club, could come next.
He might even return to Scottish football, but to a side slightly below Hearts. Woodburn needs regular football but he will not get that at Liverpool. A shame, for a player Jurgen Klopp once labelled “outstanding”.
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