Hearts manager Robbie Neilson was delighted to see ‘top player’ Ben Woodburn open his account for the club on loan from Premier League giants Liverpool, as he told the Heart of Midlothian website.
It is hard to believe Woodburn is still only 22.
Nearly four years after his most recent appearance in Liverpool red, Woodburn appears to be stuck at a career crossroads; out of contract next summer and facing an uncertain future at the 2019 European champions.
Given that Woodburn has struggled to live up to lofty expectations at Anfield, you’d be forgiven for assuming that the situation is cut and dry; The youngest goal-scorer in Liverpool history is destined to depart on a free transfer, right?
Well, maybe things aren’t quite so simple.
According to The Athletic, Woodburn ‘blew away’ the Liverpool coaches with his outstanding performances in pre-season – particularly during a 3-1 victory over Osasuna.
Jurgen Klopp’s assistant, Pep Lijnders, even told the Echo that the Wales international ‘has an Anfield future’.
But, for now, Woodburn is fully focused on adding some much-needed consistency to his game north of the border; a brilliantly-taken brace in Hearts’ 5-2 thrashing of Dundee United following a nine-match barren run.
Does Ben Woodburn have a future at Liverpool?
“He is a top player,” beamed manager Neilson, tipping Woodburn to explode into life with his confidence renewed.
“We see that every day in training and it will be a release to get those first goals. He has been putting a lot of pressure on himself to score goals and to come up here and do well.
“And I just think the goals were the final thing he needed to release him.”
Given that Woodburn has scored just one goal during three previous loan spells at Sheffield United, Oxford and Blackpool, nobody should be getting carried away just yet.
Woodburn, after all, is no stranger to false dawns.
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