Although he’s played on a bit part for Liverpool this season, the news that 17-year old Reds attacker Ben Woodburn received his first senior international call-up for Wales came as little surprise to those who have been watching him develop throughout the year — well, all of us except the most important one.
“Actually, I was surprised about this. I don’t know exactly how it’s normal here,” said Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp, sounding a touch exasperated. “This should not be a criticism, but usually when you call up a player, a 17-year-old player, I thought it would be possible to call me,” continued the German manager, clearly surprised that no one from the Welsh FA reached out to him. “He has to learn, he has to develop, he has to improve, all of this… there are now two managers responsible for him.”
Klopp’s kid gloves approach with Woodburn seems to be working wonders as the Welshman became the club’s youngest ever goalscorer back in November when he smacked on in against Championship side Leeds United in front of the Kop, but a call up to the Wales squad will thrust him even further into the lime-light and double down on the already massive pressure that up and coming players feel to perform.
“No, I make my own mind up about a player. I understand when you pick young players then clubs go, ‘Oh, calm down’ but I make my own mind up,” said Wales manager Chris Coleman, speaking to the press prior to Klopp’s comments. “No matter how old he is, if he is good enough and I think he has something to offer us and can help us in this challenge then I am going to pick him. That’s no disrespect to Jurgen or anybody else who say maybe he’s not…but that’s their opinion,” added the Dragons manager, drawing a line in the sand. “He belongs to them but I’ve got a job to do for Wales and I have to pick my strongest squad. At the minute from what I have seen he belongs in our strongest 23. That’s why he is there.”
