Liverpool may be on the hunt for big-name players in their attempts to return to Europe's elite in the immediate future, but Jurgen Klopp may have found the Reds' long-term hero in the shape of 16-year-old Ben Woodburn.
The teenager grabbed attention on Sunday when his fine finish sealed victory for the Premier League side in a 2-0 friendly win over Wigan.
However, it is more than just the goal against a Championship side which has generated a great deal of excitement around Anfield. The teenager has long been seen as the academy starlet destined to blossom into a fine talent and earn his place in the Liverpool first team.
Versatile, blessed with an incredible touch and impressive awareness, the attacker is as fine in front of goal as he is in deeper roles - creating chances for team-mates - meaning he can fill in as a central striker, push out wide or pull the strings as a playmaker.
So bright has the teenager looked in the Liverpool academy that he was advanced up to the Under-18 side at the age of 15. The step up was easy, which a double against Manchester United – one of which was an overhead kick - proved. An ability to take down a 50-yard pass on his chest and volley home against Cardiff City further cemented these claims.
Woodburn has already drawn comparisons with Wales international Aaron Ramsey, who emerged as a precocious talent himself. Skilful, quick and strong, it is no surprise he has been given a run out with the first team in their pre-season preparations.
Klopp has been watching his training sessions with intrigue and will now be even more convinced of his talent having watched him impress against Fleetwood Town with a goal and an assist before Sunday’s showing.
The consensus is that this is a player who has all the tools needed to go far in the game, but at such a young age his talent remains fragile. Thankfully, then, Klopp is aware of the risks that lie ahead for the highly rated players in today’s game.
“I need to be blind not to see the talent of these boys,” he said. “My biggest skill is I am patient, so I can wait and we will wait until these guys are really ready. It’s about timing, but they are in a good way and we will never forget them - that’s for sure.
“It’s not that we have them and use them now in the pre-season and then never think about them. They are in our books for sure and we will do everything so that when they are old enough, they will be good enough.
“The problem that you can make for these guys is that you write too much about them. You have enough time, they are young enough. You can write about them when they are 18, 19 and don't bring them into the situation of going to school and not going to school, meeting friends.
“If we have the situation and if they learn, if they listen and stay concentrated and disciplined then they have a bright future that's for sure. But between now and the bright future, there's a lot of work. Let's start with the work and not with the news.”
The pressure is great at the top level of the English game and the jump from youth football to the Premier League is one that many homegrown talents fail to make. But if Liverpool remain as patient as Klopp, there is little to suggest he will not be a success on the big stage in years to come.
- Goal