Liverpool legend John Aldridge believes that Ben Woodburn is in the right place to develop his career, having spent time with Oxford himself, as he told the Oxford Mail.

Woodburn is on a season-long loan at the Kassam having struggled during a similar loan spell last season with Sheffield United. His time there was cut short through injury and he wasn't part of Jurgen Klopp's plans going into this season.

He's struggled since he broke through with the Reds, becoming their youngest ever goalscorer in an EFL Cup game against Leeds United, but as Aldrige confirmed things don't always go as people expect them to.

“I was at the game when he came on and scored to take Michael Owen’s record. It was a tremendous moment for him," he told the Oxford Mail.

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“Obviously after that his name was in lights a bit and sometimes it just doesn’t happen in the same way as people like Steven Gerrard or Wayne Rooney."

Despite failing to kick on after his explosive introduction to Anfield fans, Aldrige is convinced all he needs is games, making him a great fit for the U's.

“He just needs games, because he is talented. Sometimes you’ve got to take, with all due respect, a couple of steps back, to go forward.

“I think both will gain. He’s gone to what I think is a great club with great fans. I had great times there and I can’t say anything bad about the club because it’s in my heart."

The Nottingham-born 19-year-old has been capped ten times by Wales, scoring twice. His last appearance for his national team came in March this year against Trinidad and Tobago, where he grabbed the only goal of the game.

The Verdict

John Aldrige knows Liverpool well, he knows Oxford well too, so his opinion on this matter should be respected.

I doubt there are many people who don't see this as a huge coup for Oxford. Woodburn was hot property last season and was desperately unlucky not to play more games for Sheffield United.

What some casual observers might not see is Woodburn needs this as much as Oxford do. Whilst he's still only 19, his reputation has taken a bit of a knock and few expected him to drop into the third-tier when he first appeared on the Liverpool scene.

He has to perform this season or there could be no route back into the Anfield setup for him.