Don't flip the burgers too often.
Who has the potential to be world class?
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Emre Can. Keita too, obviously. Coutinho and Mane are already not far away.
Among the younger players, Solanke has probably the clearest path forward – I can really see him maturing as a Milik/Lewandowski type striker in the near future. Woodburn has the star quality, but so far no set position. TAA is superb, really excited to see what's in store for him. He will need to choose a position and make it his own at some point to make real progress, like Bale did.
Among the younger players, Solanke has probably the clearest path forward – I can really see him maturing as a Milik/Lewandowski type striker in the near future. Woodburn has the star quality, but so far no set position. TAA is superb, really excited to see what's in store for him. He will need to choose a position and make it his own at some point to make real progress, like Bale did.
I wonder, and I suspect Klopp wonders too, if he has the physical presence to lead the line as a striker? Klopp seemed to be trying him deeper in preseason. That number 8 meets 10 position in our current set up behind the front 3 might be where he ends up. The last few games he played (including that game for Wales) he has played fantastic through balls from deep to set up counterattacks and he seems to have that vision in his locker, as well as the ability to create a chance for himself or others with a bit of trickery around the box. What do you think?
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I think that's a shrewd judgement of where his potential could best be unlocked. He's a clever player, and his vision is excellent, and he could flourish in that area. He's still got some growing to do, and one never knows quite what impact that will have, but it will be good to see him get some time playing there.
The great news is that he clearly has Klopp's eye on him. Klopp seems very sensitive to the balance that needs to be struck when bringing a young player through in terms of keeping their expectations and demands grounded even as he encourages them to take their opportunities and embrace responsibility. It would be fantastic if TAA and Woodburn end up playing integral roles together in the team in the years to come, given their evident closeness. Having a couple of local players who have come through the youth ranks together (OK, I know Woodburn is as Wooly as it gets) would be fantastic.
Unluckeeee
It was obvious to me after watching him play a handful of times that he didn't seem quick enough to play as a winger, and he's not really tall or strong, so leading the line seems unlikely; while height wasn't an issue with Michael Owen, for example, he was stupendously quick and a magnificently gifted finisher.
Woodburn's attributes may well be his ability to read the game and taking up dangerous positions in a withdrawn role, feeding the main striker.
So it does seem that his best position could indeed be in an advanced AM role/ second striker, although he's going to have to be fucking exceptional to make that work, given it's quite specialised and usually the sort of position that only the best excel in: we've seen the likes of Beardsley and of course Kenny do it at Liverpool.
It would be nice to think that there is a place in modern English football for a player who isn't blessed with the most obvious physical gifts, or extravagant attributes, and is simply a very good footballer. I suppose David Silva, Santi Cazorla and Cesc Fabregas are recent examples of this declining archetype. But there's not that many.
Coutinho's replacement? In all of its various forms - 10, 8, winger that comes central, etc.
He is very quick over a shorter space which, combined with his trickery enables him to get past people. He's not unlike Coutinho in terms of physical properties, though arguably will grow to be stronger and perhaps quicker. At 17 he also has physical development to come you'd think.
So is he a striker or what? I recall a few people moaning about him playing as a wide attacker, because he was actually a striker. Is he?
He played younger levels as a striker, but he has been played last season in cup games, when he had a few chances, in a wider position. The thing is, and Macca will know more than me about this, he is a really excellent finisher, so it is tempting to put him in positions where the opportunity for that to happens as regularly as possible. However, there is the issue of whether he has or ever will have the physicality to act as a primary striker. But there are positives to playing him further back, as for a 17 year old (and Liverpool's youngest ever scorer btw) as he has excellent decision making playing a bit deeper.
Check it out.
His first 6 senior goals:
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Summer 2018. Sell Coutinho for £200 million. Replace in line up with the future. An 18 year-old Ben Woodburn. Hoorah!
Is he really that good? Saw him play, looked good for his age group but not exactly dominant. Played smart and simple, but he looks kinda small. I'm talking Rossiter Jay Spearing small. Worries me how that will translate to top level football.
He's 16. And yes, he's definetly one to look out for. Was at the Norway game on Friday and chatted to our National chief talent scout, and he said the one to pay attention to was Tagseth.
Same fella discovered Ødegaard when he was 11.
Love seeing how involved Kent was in 3 of those 6 goals - he'll impress on loan and make a big impact for us in the future. Awesome.
Reportedly better than Odegaard at the same age levels. I bet Odegaard regrets moving to Real now, time is still on his side.
Oh, he'll grow a bit. And do watch out for the interview he's just done with LFCTV, he's ridiculously mature for his age.
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