Woodburn to follow in Messi’s footsteps

WALES and Liverpool wonderkid Ben Woodburn has been nominated for the prestigious European Goldenboy award.

The 17-year-old has enjoyed a whirlwind campaign that has seen him make first-team debut for Jurgen Klopp’s side and become the Reds’ youngest ever goalscorer after netting in a 2-0 EFL Cup win over Leeds at Anfield in November.

His stunning form earned the youngster a call-up to Chris Coleman’s Wales squad for their recent World Cup qualifier against Republic of Ireland at the Aviva Stadium.

And now, Woodburn, pictured above, has been nominated for the European Goldenboy Award for 2017, an award previously won by Wayne Rooney, Lionel Messi and Sergio Aguero among others.

Woodburn made his full Premier League debut against Stoke City on the weekend and he’s being tipped as the Premier League’s next big thing.

If his stock wasn’t already high enough, this award puts his name among the best young footballing talent in world football.

He goes up against a whole host of young superstars, including Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford, ManchesterCity’s Gabriel Jesus and Monaco’s new French tyro Kylian Mbappe.

The award has been put on by Italian outlet Tuttosport since 2003 and it has a track record of winners who have gone on to dominate world football.

However, to make the shortlist at the young age of 17 sets the Welsh under-19 international up for an impressive future.

Meanwhile, Steven Gerrard is set to take charge of Liverpool’s U18 team from next season.

The Reds legend has been working at the club’s Academy since January having taken a floating role across numerous age groups, but will take over the U18s in the summer.

Gerrard’s appointment will lead to a reshuffle at Kirkby, with current U18s coach Neil Critchley potentially moving up to the U23s.