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Hard Work Starts Now for Liverpool Record-Breaker Ben Woodburn
- Updated: November 30, 2016
ANFIELD, Liverpool — November 29 was a date already etched into Liverpool history, for it was the date that Steven Gerrard made his debut back in 1998. And exactly 18 years on, Ben Woodburn wrote his name into the history books in a 2-0 EFL Cup quarter-final victory over Leeds United.
Firing into the Kop goal in the 81st minute, Woodburn became Liverpool’s youngest goalscorer at just 17 years and 45 days—eclipsing Michael Owen’s record by 100 days, which had stood since 1997.
Woodburn wasn’t even born when Owen netted against Wimbledon, or when Gerrard made his debut for the Reds. Indeed, Woodburn—born in 1999—has never seen Merseyside rivals Everton win a trophy or even a game at Anfield.
Having been handed his debut for the club three days earlier in stoppage time against Sunderland, Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp resisted the temptation to start the youngster as Leeds United arrived for the EFL Cup quarter-final match. Instead, Woodburn arrived into the action as a 67th-minute substitute.
Incredibly, he could have had a goal with his first touch, but Georginio Wijnaldum took on a shot himself rather than square to Woodburn for a tap-in. The Dutchman’s shot rebounded off the post and just went wide of the youngster’s foot.
But 10 minutes later, Wijnaldum played in Woodburn on the edge of the six-yard box for the Wales youth international to volley into the Kop goal. History made.
Attention now turns to ensuring Woodburn stays grounded, and that the media and supporters do not get carried away by the Reds’ latest teenage sensation.
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“I am really happy with him, the only problem is I am a little afraid about you [the media],” said Klopp post-match. “We know how to handle the situation. I can say whatever I want but if he scores goals, it’s difficult to stay cool from your side, no problem.”
If ever you needed a manager to keep a player grounded, Klopp is the right man for the job. “First of all I said [to him] well done, but it was not too difficult, I would have scored too,” joked the Reds’ boss.
Woodburn’s Emergence
Whenever a teenage goalscorer emerges, whether it be Owen in 1997 or Robbie Fowler before him, there’s a general pattern that means fans start to become aware of the player in the year before they get their first-team debut.
For Woodburn, he arrived on to fans’ radars when he scored an outrageous goal for Liverpool’s under-18s against Cardiff City in the FA Youth Cup in January.
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Woodburn, …
