Klopp vows to protect teen star
Print Edition
JUERGEN Klopp says he will do his best to protect starlet Ben Woodburn from the media spotlight after he became the youngest scorer in Liverpool’s history in its English League Cup victory over Leeds United.
Woodburn, aged 17 years and 45 days, edged out Liverpool legend Michael Owen by 98 days when he struck in the 81st minute of Tuesday’s quarterfinal with the previous record holder sitting in the stands at Anfield.
He shared the backpage headlines with the air crash tragedy in Colombia that all but wiped out the Brazilian team Chapecoense.
Klopp also praised other youngsters who played in the 2-0 win and said he thought the club would be able to control the situation. “The only problem is I’m afraid about all you in the media. That’s why I’m so quiet.
“We know how to handle the situation,” the German said.
Klopp, who has engineered a revival in Liverpool’s fortunes since he took over late last year and guided it to second in the English Premier League table, said Woodburn was not the finished article, adding he hoped the teen would not be distracted by the sudden flurry of attention.
“He still has a lot of things to do and especially to keep the public away for as long as possible — but that is a difficult thing to do,” said Klopp.
“I said well done to him afterwards. It was not too difficult. I would have scored too in that situation. We know what Ben is capable of and what he is already able to do.”
Woodburn only made his senior debut for Liverpool on Saturday as a late substitute in an EPL win over Sunderland — an appearance that made him the club’s third youngest ever first-team player.
Cheshire-born Woodburn, who recently signed a long-term contract with Liverpool, is a Wales under-19 international.
Klopp’s side is through to the League Cup semifinals for the third successive year thanks to Woodburn and Divock Origi
In the day’s other quarterfinal, EPL struggler Hull beat second tier Newcastle 3-1 on penalties after a 1-1 draw to reach the last four for the first time.
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