Jurgen Klopp and his Liverpool side eliminated Leeds United today in the EFL Cup, on their way to progressing to the tournament’s final four. They’ll find out their draw for the semi-finals late tomorrow night. The Reds beat Leeds 2-0, getting a goal from youngster Ben Woodburn, who is just 17 years and 45 days old.
We included the amount of days in that previous sentence because it’s relevant. Woodburn became the youngest goal scorer in the long illustrious history of LFC by a matter of 100 days (Michael Owen was the previous record holder).
What a night ????? pic.twitter.com/0NAx9nHVEK
— ben woodburn (@BenWoodburn) November 29, 2016
“We are nearly 125 years old and I’m quite surprised that there was never a younger one,” Jurgen Klopp said after the game.
“We all know how young he is, but he doesn’t look like this in training sessions and things like this, obviously he grows quicker than other players in his skill sets. It’s a nice story and all the boys are happy for him.”
“We know what Ben is capable of and what he is already able to do,” Jurgen Klopp continued. “My first job is to help these boys so that they can be the best.”
“In this case, Ben Woodburn. There’s a lot of things to do, especially to keep the public away as long as possible. That’s quite a difficult thing to do. But on the other hand, we only bring him in because we want to use him. So that means when he’s on the pitch he’s absolutely allowed to score goals, to prepare situations, to make crosses — how Trent [Alexander-Arnold] did, for example.
“So, all good. I’m really happy for him. The only problem is I’m a little bit afraid about you [the media]. That why I’m so quiet on this. Think and do what you want, but don’t write anything — only ‘Goalscorer, Ben Woodburn.’ Done. Quite a challenge!
“I don’t think it makes sense that I say the obvious things. So first of all, I said ‘Well done, but it was not too difficult! I would have scored too if I would have been in the situation!’ That’s maybe the truth. All good.”
“Nothing we say here is important enough that it would help Ben Woodburn or myself. It’s all good. We know how to handle the situation and I know I can say to you whatever I want, [but] if he scores goals then it’s quite difficult to stay cool from your side. No problem.”
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net, partnered with FOX Sports Engage Network. and News Now. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, currently contributes regularly to the Chicago Tribune’s RedEye publication and Bold Global.
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