Why Jurgen Klopp has pulled the plug on Woodburn deal

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Liverpool looked set to loan Ben Woodburn to Sunderland for the remainder of the season, but according to reports in the Independent, Jurgen Klopp has had a change of heart.

Initially, the plan was for the young Welshman to join up with his former international manager Chris Coleman for the struggling Black Cats, but with Coutinho departing, Klopp’s not keen on losing another playmaker who can feature wide or centrally.

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The 18-year-old hasn’t had a sniff this term, playing just 45 minutes for the first-team in the Carabao Cup defeat to Leicester – and with Liverpool expected to compete full tilt in both the FA Cup and Champions League – it doesn’t appear there’ll be many chances from now until the summer, either.

We’d suggest risking Woodburn wouldn’t have been too much of a gamble considering how little he’s played so far, but an injury to Sadio Mane or Mo Salah could leave us short.

For now, Woodburn will have to continue impressing for the Under-23s and wait for his opportunity.

He’s a terrific talent, but the club should be careful not to let him stagnate. Arguably, he was in a better position to breakthrough at the end of last season than this.

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