Ben Woodburn has spent this season on loan at Sheffield United but has struggled for games away from Liverpool.
It was two years ago next week that Ben Woodburn became Liverpool’s youngest ever goalscorer with his strike against Leeds in the League Cup.
Since then, Woodburn has picked up eight senior caps for Wales and has been touted as one of the brightest prospects in English football.
So, few would have predicted a year ago that he’d be struggling for games in the Championship to the point where Liverpool are considering terminating his loan at Sheffield United six months early.
And yet that’s the situation, as reported by Goal – one that represents a difficult situation for Liverpool.
Woodburn isn’t yet good enough to play for Liverpool in the Premier Leauge, despite his talent. The likes of Joe Gomez and Trent Alexander-Arnold, a player who came up with Woodburn, had an easier time of things thanks to injuries and less talent in their positions.
Woodburn, on the other hand, is competing with Liverpool’s attack, and that’s a forward line that even Daniel Sturridge struggles to get into.
But while a talent like Woodburn needs senior games in order to develop, he also doesn’t quite appear ready for the Championship, leaving Liverpool in limbo with the player.
Recalling him is certainly the best move. His lack of games in Sheffield leave the Reds in the dark with his development, both unable to see him in games and unable to develop him themselves.
While he may not be playing back in Liverpool, at the very least they could see him on a day-to-day basis while they consider what to do next.
Whether they look to keep him at the club or loan him out again, one thing is for sure: the Sheffield loan isn’t working and it’s time to try something different.
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