Topic: Ben Woodburn.

[Tobelius]

Fair to say things haven't gone as we all hoped with Ben's career so far,think sadly he'll be released if we can't sort out another loan for him.

[Dull Tools]

Just done some brief research.

Now 21 years old and only played 48 first team professional games across 5 seasons.

Odd career so far and possibly shows the perils of coming through at an elite club. Had he, for example, come through at a lower league side you feel he'd have played a lot more first team football and be a more accomplished player.

The club is more invested with the player if they own the player. If the loan isn't working ut early on they have no incentive to let the player play himself into form. The leg break didn't help either when he was just starting to play well at Oxford.

[Bergersrightwingviews]

A reminder that despite the massive rewards for a select few, the life a footballer really isn't easy. Such a shame for him.

[Dazzer23]

Odd career so far and possibly shows the perils of coming through at an elite club. Had he, for example, come through at a lower league side you feel he'd have played a lot more first team football and be a more accomplished player.

Personally I think it's more a case of showing how players just develop at different stages. Ben is not the only example of someone that looks to have the potential to be a world beater at 17/18 only for time to show they have already peaked. Michael Owen did have a pretty long and succesful carreer but I always thought he was at his very best as an 18 year old. Conversely you have someone like Vardy that was playing amateur football upto 25 and was an England international a few years later

I'm not having a dig at Ben by the way, would love him to prove me wrong and go onto have a successful career somewhere 

[tubby]

Ben's progression has really influenced my opinion of young players now.  He was never the quickest or biggest and despite his good footballing brain and great touch, that really held him back once he reached the top level.

Which is why I don't think Neco is going to be a valid option as a back up right back.  But Curtis has both the size and speed to make it at the very top.

[[new username under construction]]

I can never figure out his position really, he's not really a forward and not really a midfielder or a number 10 so?

[Dazzer23]

Ben's progression has really influenced my opinion of young players now.  He was never the quickest or biggest and despite his good footballing brain and great touch, that really held him back once he reached the top level.

And despite all the promise he show's that's my concern with Harvey Elliot.

[Drinks Sangria]

Woodburn should be looking at the likes of Bradley Dack as to how to model his game for a 10 in the lower leagues.

[tubby]

And despite all the promise he show's that's my concern with Harvey Elliot.

Think Elliott is a different proposition, he proper scampers around, Woodburn was slower in his movement.

[Chris~]

Elliott is also a very different type of player who's biggest plus point is his passing/creativity. Woodburn broke through and stood out due to his goals/movement. It'll be easier finding a role in senior football for someone who's creative but may not have explosive athleticism.

[Yorkykopite]

The club is more invested with the player if they own the player. If the loan isn't working ut early on they have no incentive to let the player play himself into form. The leg break didn't help either when he was just starting to play well at Oxford.

I saw him play at Oxford - in one of the last games before he got seriously injured. He was terrific, and the locals knew he was. They absolutely pasted....trying to think who it was....Gillingham perhaps.  And Woodburn was excellent in what looked like a very progressive team. (Brannagan, formerly of this manor, looked pretty decent too).

[Gaz123456]

He had quite a weight of expectation on his shoulders as well. He was being touted as the "next big thing" from a very early age which can make or break a player. Players (like all of us) develop both mentally and physically at different rates.

Obviously his injury problems set him back completely.

I wish him well when he inevitably moves on, but he will always be a "what if?" player for me.

[Ratboy3G]

I saw him play at Oxford - in one of the last games before he got seriously injured. He was terrific, and the locals knew he was. They absolutely pasted....trying to think who it was....Gillingham perhaps.  And Woodburn was excellent in what looked like a very progressive team. (Brannagan, formerly of this manor, looked pretty decent too).

I've always thought Karl Robinson was a good manager, he has Oxford playing some good stuff. Much to the annoyance of my brother who is a Swindon fan.

[Fordy]

He had quite a weight of expectation on his shoulders as well. He was being touted as the "next big thing" from a very early age which can make or break a player. Players (like all of us) develop both mentally and physically at different rates.

Obviously his injury problems set him back completely.

I wish him well when he inevitably moves on, but he will always be a "what if?" player for me.

Wouldn't rule him out just yet.

Ben was playing well at Oxford before he got injured. The issue Ben had was he was playing as front 3 for us in the early days but it was clear he won't play there. Now hes in midfield he stands a chance.

If we don't get into the CL I think Ben won't go out on loan and will stay with us to captain the under 23 and play in the EL if we get into that competition.

[vivabobbygraham]

Great to see Ben back in the limelight. Took his goals ever so well. Keep going, kid 

[royhendo]

A curate's egg, isn't he?

[macmanamanaman]

A curate's egg, isn't he?

what does that mean?

[terry_macss_perm]

what does that mean?

It means he’s like the egg belonging to the curate in the famous (but apocryphal) story.

[richmiller1]

A curate's egg, isn't he?

Certainly it's difficult to understand how Critchley didn't view him as worth more minutes last season.

His talent deserves a long term home at a decent level........ Surprised Stevie hasn't tried to take him to Glasgow.

[johnj147]

Had forgot all about him . thought he had became a bus driver or somethin.

[Szemerényi]

It means he’s like the egg belonging to the curate in the famous (but apocryphal) story.

What does that mean?

[royhendo]

What does that mean?

LMGTFY

https://www.google.com/search?q=define%3A+curate%27s+egg&oq=define%3A+curate%27s+egg&aqs=chrome.0.69i59j69i58.2977j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

[johnj147]

LMGTFY

https://www.google.com/search?q=define%3A+curate%27s+egg&oq=define%3A+curate%27s+egg&aqs=chrome.0.69i59j69i58.2977j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

new one to me 

[MBL?]

Happy that he played well tonight. Can’t be easy when there was so much hype around him. I personally never saw why but that has to have affected him mentally. Would be great to see him kick on and have a good career, still plenty of time.

[Filler.]

what does that mean?

It's a religious connotation that suggests a man can produce fertilizable eggs if and when he wears a long flowing gown. Very now.

[thechangingman_ynwa]

Sounds like he might have a future...

https://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/first-team/440418-ben-woodburn-jurgen-klopp-pep-lijnders

“I’m so happy for him. Like many of the team it didn’t come easy for him, but he has an Anfield future.”

[Yorkykopite]

Sounds like he might have a future...

https://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/first-team/440418-ben-woodburn-jurgen-klopp-pep-lijnders

“I’m so happy for him. Like many of the team it didn’t come easy for him, but he has an Anfield future.”

I really hope so. I love watching this player. The closest substitute for Bobby Firmino that we have. High technique, unexpected flicks and backheels which land, a calmness when things start getting busy around him, and a decent eye for goal.

I saw him play for Oxford just before he got his last big injury. After 30 minutes the team was already 3-0 up and would have been 5 or 6 up if the rest of the Oxford lads could have read his game perfectly.

[abetts]

What happened to him exactly? Through the youth teams and reserves, I always thought he was a very good prospect because he played with such intelligence. He was never the quickest, the strongest, or the trickiest; but he was very good at finding space, linking play, and finishing.

It's always hard to predict the career trajectory of a youth player, but honestly I thought by now he'd have been a solid member of the squad.

[Eeyore]

I really hope so. I love watching this player. The closest substitute for Bobby Firmino that we have. High technique, unexpected flicks and backheels which land, a calmness when things start getting busy around him, and a decent eye for goal.

I saw him play for Oxford just before he got his last big injury. After 30 minutes the team was already 3-0 up and would have been 5 or 6 up if the rest of the Oxford lads could have read his game perfectly.

Yeh I love watching Woodburn play as well.

His problem is how well stacked we are with players younger than him who arguably have a higher ceiling. The likes of Jones, Elliot, Gordon, Clarkson, Balagizi and Musialowski.

He isn't going to get ahead of the likes of Jones and Elliot for the first team and playing for the U23's is going to block the progress of the next wave of talent.

He needs first team minutes somewhere but hasn't really showed enough whilst on loan. I think the most likely outcome is a sale with a buy back or a percentage of a future sale.

[Robinred]

Would love him to kick on. As others have said, he has qualities that others don’t, but his lack of those assets so highly prized - pace, power and swagger, have stalled his progress.

I watched the Osasuna game last night. He and Clarkson stood out for their consistently good decision making - two slight, rather slow technicians with terrific football intelligence. I couldn’t help comparing their performances with that of an established player - albeit one playing a different role. I’m referring to Origi; he is an infuriating footballer to watch because he has, as has been chronicled to death on these boards, all the physical attributes Clarkson and Woodburn are short of, but lacks the innate football brain they both possess.

[Yorkykopite]

Would love him to kick on. As others have said, he has qualities that others don’t, but his lack of those assets so highly prized - pace, power and swagger, have stalled his progress.

I watched the Osasuna game last night. He and Clarkson stood out for their consistently good decision making - two slight, rather slow technicians with terrific football intelligence. I couldn’t help comparing their performances with that of an established player - albeit one playing a different role. I’m referring to Origi; he is an infuriating footballer to watch because he has, as has been chronicled to death on these boards, all the physical attributes Clarkson and Woodburn are short of, but lacks the innate football brain they both possess.

Probably a fair assessment Robin.

But it makes you think 'what is pace?' Practically every time the ball came to Woodburn and Clarkson last night they injected speed into the team. With the super-quick Origi the opposite happened, as it always does. The pace was sucked out of the side. 

[Robinred]

Probably a fair assessment Robin.

But it makes you think 'what is pace?' Practically every time the ball came to Woodburn and Clarkson last night they injected speed into the team. With the super-quick Origi the opposite happened, as it always does. The pace was sucked out of the side. 

All I can add is “The first five yards”🤗

[royhendo]

It's a religious connotation that suggests a man can produce fertilizable eggs if and when he wears a long flowing gown. Very now.

Would be quite the turnaround if Jurgen somehow developed him into the new Mario Gotze.

[MNAA]

Would be quite the turnaround if Jurgen somehow developed him into the new Mario Gotze.

If there's anyone that could pull this off, it's Klopp and his coaching team. Woodburn was ahead of Trent once upon a time lest we forget. We don't really know what happened to him since Leeds but he looks more ready now physically and perhaps he is now completely injury free. Both Klopp and Lijnders were complimentary of Woodburn performances this pre-season post game last night (perhaps to 'jack up' his value?)

I'll be delighted if he makes it here. He may appear to be lagging behind Jones and Elliott but you never know. Stranger things have happened before in football ... 

[wemmick]

Probably a fair assessment Robin.

But it makes you think 'what is pace?' Practically every time the ball came to Woodburn and Clarkson last night they injected speed into the team. With the super-quick Origi the opposite happened, as it always does. The pace was sucked out of the side.

Because Woodburn and Clarkson know how to place a forward pass to a teammate already on the run. I remember watching Rafa's Valencia dismantle us and thinking the same thing about them. Slow to a man, but they moved so swiftly up the pitch. Klopp's Dortmund, too, to some degree. Origi's passing slows our ball progression.   

[jackh]

Because Woodburn and Clarkson know how to place a forward pass to a teammate already on the run. I remember watching Rafa's Valencia dismantle us and thinking the same thing about them. Slow to a man, but they moved so swiftly up the pitch. Klopp's Dortmund, too, to some degree. Origi's passing slows our ball progression.   

Made me think of Pablo Aimar, that mention.  What a player.  What a team!

[Wild Romany Boy]

I could watch him play all day, but I'm not sure it will translate to a career at Liverpool.

He should have a good career elsewhere though. At the very least.

[vivabobbygraham]

Before you all start making decisions on his future, why not just praise a lad who has had it tough these last couple of years with injuries and a loss confidence, yet, he's still swinging, chasing his dream of playing for the reds. I wish him every success. A good 'un is Ben Woodburn. Hell of a player and will keep on improving, no doubt about that

[Red Bird]

I could watch him play all day, but I'm not sure it will translate to a career at Liverpool.

He should have a good career elsewhere though. At the very least.

I've heard this sentiment many times and have never understood what it is based on.

[So… Howard Philips]

Before you all start making decisions on his future, why not just praise a lad who has had it tough these last couple of years with injuries and a loss confidence, yet, he's still swinging, chasing his dream of playing for the reds. I wish him every success. A good 'un is Ben Woodburn. Hell of a player and will keep on improving, no doubt about that

Any idea what that black strapping he was wearing on his back and neck is for?