Whelan makes bold Woodburn prediction after Liverpool exit confirmed
Ben Woodburn has played his last game for Liverpool after completing a season-long loan move to Hearts.
That is the view of former Aberdeen and Leeds United striker Noel Whelan, speaking exclusively to Football Insider about the 21-year-old’s future at Anfield.
Hearts confirmed today (August 23rd) the signing of the forward from Liverpool on a season-long loan deal.
Woodburn, who remains Liverpool’s youngest ever goalscorer, has just 12 months left on his contract at Anfield.
Whelan suspects the Wales international’s long-term future lies away from Merseyside.
“I think he’s played his last game for Liverpool in truth,” he told Football Insider‘s Dylan Childs.
“If he was that important he would have been more heavily involved.
“It has been a number of years since his debut and it has not quite happened since then.
“He has not made the next step. The progression that is needed to be a part of the 18-man squad every week has not happened for him.
“It is a great move for Hearts because he is a highly talented player, there is no doubt about that.
“He just did not make the steps Jurgen Klopp wanted to see from him.
“Sometimes it can be difficult because you don’t want to lose a player that has been at a club for a long time but you cannot be sentimental about it.
“Woodburn needs to forge a career and he will have to do that away from Anfield.”
In other news, pundit shares definitive verdict on Jordan Henderson quitting Liverpool after source update.