Topic: Ben Woodburn.

[BabuYagu]

Any game replays of the U19s?

https://ok.ru/video/346524289727
https://ok.ru/video/346391317183

[ThePeetmix]

Really feel he has to play in midfield for the 1st team. He's a much better player when he's getting on the ball as much as possible.

[4pool]

Actually, this picture is a bit misleading.

Holland had just defended a free kick which went into the wall then Maradona picked up the loose ball ( or second ball in current terminology).

[Yorkykopite]

Spoil sport.

[Yorkykopite]

It's Belgium as well.

[robertobaggio37]

Actually, this picture is a bit misleading.

Holland had just defended a free kick which went into the wall then Maradona picked up the loose ball ( or second ball in current terminology).

Still an epic shot.

[lamonti]

Man marking at its best.

Can someone photoshop the other Liverpool players out of this shot

[JD.]

Pure quality. He needs to be getting Premier League game time.

[PIPA23]

this lad is a natural.

[tubby]

Wouldn't play him wide at all, he's so much better in midfield.  Every time he was central he looked the best player on the pitch.

[RyanBabel19]

He's very intellegent on the ball isn't he

Impressed again tonight

[iamnant]

Wouldn't mind seeing him in the squad for Saturday - not as a starter as such, but certainly as an option off the bench. Can't be any worse than what our current MF trio are displaying.

Midfield of Coutinho, Can & Woodburn anyone?

[OOS]

Only player who can walk off the pitch with his head held high. Held his own and put some of the senior players to shame. Looking forward to seeing him later this season.

[Yorkykopite]

Midfield of Coutinho, Can & Woodburn anyone?

Tough on Gini, but yes.

[iamnant]

Tough on Gini, but yes.

Think we will see this at some point this season, but Woodburn being so young, think Gini's place is safe. Henderson's, on the other hand...

[Yorkykopite]

Henderson's, on the other hand...

Shudder.

Woodburn and Henderson are playing different sports I think, not just different styles.

[killer-heels]

Amazing. Deffo a midfielder as well.

[iamnant]

Shudder.

Woodburn and Henderson are playing different sports I think, not just different styles.

Quite alarming isn't it? Hope there's some sort of reaction from Klopp on Saturday.

And yes killer_heels, he looks much more comfortable as a MF rather than a wide attacker. Although, he's got so much ability, he could do a job there as well.

[DefJack]

People talking about Woodburn on the wing 

Woodburn goes in middle

He goes in middle lads.

Seriously was the best player on the park by a not inconsiderable margin as soon as he went into the middle.

His footballing brain is fantastic, he needs to be in the area of the pitch where he has the most freedom to make decisions.

[jillcwhomever]

He is definitely quality don't think it will be too long before we see him again.

[Bergersrightwingviews]

Wouldn't mind seeing him in the squad for Saturday - not as a starter as such, but certainly as an option off the bench. Can't be any worse than what our current MF trio are displaying.

Midfield of Coutinho, Can & Woodburn anyone?

He deserves it. If Lallana were fit, I would see him coming on for Coutinho while he gets his sharpness back. I think Woodburn deserves a similar opportunity while Adam is out. It is the closest we have to a like for like change until Lallana is back. 

[KiNki]

He goes in middle lads.

agree, he should but he wont because we didn't sign lemar and loaned out ryan kent, and ojo. 

[BabuYagu]

It's always easier for coaches to give young players time on the pitch wide than centrally as there is less to the game tactically there. If Klopp thinks Woodburn still has a lot to learn off the ball, it's possible he won't use him in the middle until he is up to speed. I personally don't see any tactical weaknesses in his game, but then there is a world of difference between what I see and what the coaching staff would see in players.

Regardless, he's certainly perfect for our midfield and if we do end up seeing him get minutes out wide, the positive from that is it means it is because there is even more to unlock in his game. Frightening!

[Steven Hypiä]

Ben Woodburn vs Leicester City
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aCth5Uwy5dg&t=22s

[joekim87]

The kid looks like a product of Barca's academy more than an English one. Playing against a Prem team that won the league not too long again but so composed on the ball and finds the right pass, simple or magical, most of the time.

[Sinyoro]

Think we will see this at some point this season, but Woodburn being so young, think Gini's place is safe. Henderson's, on the other hand...

I agree, very promising young player but not yet ready to be a starter. Klopp is handling him just fine.
He has slowly diffused the hype from the Wales matches by dropping him down to the the Youths.
Good management

[Klippity Klopp]

Shudder.

Woodburn and Henderson are playing different sports I think, not just different styles.

Put Woodburn in the deeper CM role then and let's see how he copes.

They play very different roles and have different strengths.

I know you don't rate Henderson, but come on at least try and be constructive!

[Curtisinho]

Actually I think what they should be doing is this:

Wijnaldum
Woodburn - Coutinho

Just imagine that behind Mane, Firmino and Salah. Mouthwatering really. I mean, you can say what you want about wanting physicality but Wijnaldum is the most tactically astute midfielder we have and he'll do the job asked of him. He's also the best at absorbing the press and pressure, his first touch is absolutely astounding and while he has made some mistakes in the past I still feel he'd be the most focused of the three (Henderson/Can) in actually tracking back.

[Djozer]

Actually I think what they should be doing is this:

Wijnaldum
Woodburn - Coutinho

Just imagine that behind Mane, Firmino and Salah. Mouthwatering really. I mean, you can say what you want about wanting physicality but Wijnaldum is the most tactically astute midfielder we have and he'll do the job asked of him. He's also the best at absorbing the press and pressure, his first touch is absolutely astounding and while he has made some mistakes in the past I still feel he'd be the most focused of the three (Henderson/Can) in actually tracking back.

Part of me likes the look of that but I think we'd get torn apart defensively, though we'd look great going forward. Also a distinct lack of size and physicality in there.

[BabuYagu]

Actually I think what they should be doing is this:

Wijnaldum
Woodburn - Coutinho

Just imagine that behind Mane, Firmino and Salah. Mouthwatering really. I mean, you can say what you want about wanting physicality but Wijnaldum is the most tactically astute midfielder we have and he'll do the job asked of him. He's also the best at absorbing the press and pressure, his first touch is absolutely astounding and while he has made some mistakes in the past I still feel he'd be the most focused of the three (Henderson/Can) in actually tracking back.

A byproduct of high pressing is your #6 has to eat a lot of balls in the air. We have already seen a few times what losing aerial balls in midfield can do to us. We basically need a peak Lucas Leiva now. Someone who is agile yet good in the air. Highly mobile. Can play on the half turn and play penetrative passes from deep. Oh and who will never bottle it or walk back when we lose possession.

[fewmin' bedwetter]

Not a midfielder - far too good a finisher for that.

Possibly doesn't fit Klopp's front three at the moment, though. Anywhere in the 3 in a 4-2-3-1 would be perfect.

[BabuYagu]

Not a midfielder - far too good a finisher for that.

Possibly doesn't fit Klopp's front three at the moment, though. Anywhere in the 3 in a 4-2-3-1 would be perfect.

If you play in Gini's position as the late runner into the box, you are good for getting 10 goals a season no problem, maybe more. Gini gets into as good goalscoring positions are Bobby does due to his runs.

[FlashGordon]

If you play in Gini's position as the late runner into the box, you are good for getting 10 goals a season no problem, maybe more. Gini gets into as good goalscoring positions are Bobby does due to his runs.

I think he'd actually get more goals as the late runner from midfield seeing as he doesn't have the searing pace to start the counter attacks. Use his skill and composure arriving late to finish off the chances created by the runners.

[didi shamone]

A byproduct of high pressing is your #6 has to eat a lot of balls in the air. We have already seen a few times what losing aerial balls in midfield can do to us. We basically need a peak Lucas Leiva now. Someone who is agile yet good in the air. Highly mobile. Can play on the half turn and play penetrative passes from deep. Oh and who will never bottle it or walk back when we lose possession.

Eat a lot of balls

[Curtisinho]

Wijnaldum isn't bad in the air to be honest, and realistically speaking I don't think it's absolutely necessary to be strong in the air from midfield anyway. Most of our defensive ability comes from limiting space and pressing the opposition into losing the ball or making mistakes. I think yes our CBs need some height but ultimately we just need to be better on 2nd balls because it's not like teams are scoring a lot of first time headers and whatnot. We're never going to be an aerially dominant team so we need to have a team that reacts better to when a larger team does win the ball in the air.

Don't tell me that City for example has an aerially dominant team. They don't. Fernandinho, who is their deepest midfielder is not much bigger than Wijnaldum. Plus we've seen the tactical awareness of Can and Henderson in that 6 position; they just don't have it.

[Keith Lard]

Miss the days when we could give lads like Woodburn, Solanke and Chamberlain a run out in the reserves against other big reserve teams. Opportunity to get playing time with big players, against big players, within the same tactical framework as the first team.

[Klippity Klopp]

A byproduct of high pressing is your #6 has to eat a lot of balls in the air.

Something Henderson does really well actually.

He won a lot of headers against United.

[Giono]

Something Henderson does really well actually.

He won a lot of headers against United.

I know you love Henderson, and the thread to praise him in is now closed, but he only won 1 single aerial battle. (little Alberto Moreno won 3 aerial battles) It's odd you choose that match.

The thing is he is poor at heading the ball generally. He is poor at battling for headers. And when he has time and space he just heads it back in the direction it came from when other options would be better. He could chest it or direct it to a team-mate. Like a lot a facets to his game, he has raw ability but he makes poor decisions.

He is in the number 6 role for his tireless legs, not his head.

[Keith Lard]

I know you love Henderson, and the thread to praise him in is now closed, but he only won 1 single aerial battle. (little Alberto Moreno won 3 aerial battles) It's odd you choose that match.

The thing is he is poor at heading the ball generally. He is poor at battling for headers. And when he has time and space he just heads it back in the direction it came from when other options would be better. He could chest it or direct it to a team-mate. Like a lot a facets to his game, he has raw ability but he makes poor decisions.

He is in the number 6 role for his tireless legs, not his head.

He always looks so knackered after games ... wiping a bucket of sweat off his forehead 'the lads pleed well, one geem at a tyym, gweat perrforrrmunce fwom the lads".

[Klippity Klopp]

I know you love Henderson, and the thread to praise him in is now closed, but he only won 1 single aerial battle. (little Alberto Moreno won 3 aerial battles) It's odd you choose that match.

I guess it's vague on one a clear winning header is.

But I saw him win a fair few, so I'd question those stats.

Might do some GIFS to prove this later, if I can be bothered.

Sometimes it's not about winning the header clear, but doing enough so the opposition don't.

I'd always have Can or Henderson as the 6 over Wijnaldum, who looked to struggle in the role when played in it in pre season.