LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Tuesday, November 29, 2016: Liverpool's Ben Woodburn scores the second goal against Leeds United, to become the club's youngest ever goal-scorer, during the Football League Cup Quarter-Final match at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Ben Woodburn becomes Liverpool’s youngest ever goalscorer

Liverpool academy forward Ben Woodburn is the youngest goalscorer in the club’s history, following his strike against Leeds United.

Woodburn netted 82 minutes into the Reds’ 2-0 win over Leeds in the League Cup quarter-finals on Monday night, aged 17 years and 45 days.

This puts the Wales youth international ahead of Michael Owen as Liverpool’s youngest ever goalscorer.

Owen’s first goal came against Wimbledon in 1997, aged 17 years and 144 days; and, incredibly, Woodburn was born two years later.

On just his second appearance for the club, this is a remarkable achievement for Woodburn, who looks set to enjoy a bright future under Jurgen Klopp.

Speaking after the game, however, Klopp asked for patience from supporters as the youngster continues his development.

“We know what Ben’s capable, and what he’s already able to do. My first job is to make these players be their best,” he told reporters at Anfield.

“I am really happy for him, I am only worried about you all getting carried away!”

Attempting to keep Woodburn’s feet on the ground, Klopp joked about the goal: “It was not too difficult—I would probably have scored it too!”

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Tuesday, November 29, 2016: Liverpool's goal-scorer Ben Woodburn is hugged by manager Jürgen Klopp after the 2-0 victory over Leeds United during the Football League Cup Quarter-Final match at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Woodburn has made a rapid rise through the ranks over the past year, stepping up to the U18s for the 2015/16 season, before joining Michael Beale’s U23s for the current campaign.

Klopp gave him a number of opportunities during pre-season, before handing him his debut in Saturday’s 2-0 win at home to Sunderland in the Premier League.

The German was clearly tempted to name him in his starting lineup against Leeds, but instead opted to keep him on the substitutes’ bench.

But sending him on to replace Kevin Stewart in the 66th minute, Klopp gave Woodburn the opportunity he needed.

Following an excellent, sweeping move, Georginio Wijnaldum laid the ball into the forward’s path and, making no mistake from close range, Woodburn powered it into the back of the net.

Peeling away to celebrate in front of a rapturous Anfield crowd, Woodburn was the man of the moment.

More from This Is Anfield

Fan Comments