Woodburn ‘going nowhere’ in transfer window, says Klopp

JURGEN Klopp has revealed Wales youngster Ben Woodburn will not leave Liverpool during the transfer window.

The 18-year-old has been heavily linked with a loan move to Championship strugglers Sunderland this month, a switch that would have seen him re-united with ex-Wales manager Chris Coleman.

But it was thought the Reds had become increasingly reluctant to allow the Welshman to depart this month following the sale of Philippe Coutinho to Barcelona.

And speaking ahead of Liverpool’s Premier League clash with Swansea City at the Liberty Stadium on Monday night, Klopp insisted that Woodburn will not be leaving Anfield this month.

“There’s no rush in it,” the German Klopp told Liverpoolfc.com.

“It’s nice that clubs are asking for him already, but Ben had enough games so far; he played in different competitions, the UEFA Youth League, the U23s and had games with us.

“In all the sessions he is improving constantly. That we think we would miss him in our training group – with this quality squad – is maybe the biggest compliment you can give to him.

“He is completely relaxed, his family is relaxed and I am relaxed. The request is logical but there’s no rush at the moment. He is in the right place.

“We will help him, of course, and if there is any point in the next year when we think he needs to go somewhere then we will consider that for sure. But not for the moment.”

Woodburn could well be included in the Reds’ matchday squad when they head to South Wales on Monday to face bottom side Swansea.

The Reds’ youth coach Steve Gerrard had requested that Woodburn be made available for the club’s Under-18 FA Youth Cup clash with Arsenal at Anfield, but Klopp has chosen to keep the Welshman in his training squad ahead of the clash with Swansea.