At just 16 years old, Liverpool youngster Ben Woodburn was on track for a bright future with the Merseysiders.
The teenager scored his second goal of the Reds’ 2016/17 preseason against Wigan and supporters were already backing him for big things.
Woodburn made an intelligent run and finished coolly in Liverpool’s 2-0 friendly win over Wigan on and it didn’t take very long at all for fans to insist that he’s better than Manchester United’s own wünderkind Marcus Rashford.
Woodburn is twice the player of Rashford
— jay (@jayspiersy) July 17, 2016
I've seen the light, Woodburn > Rashford
— Youssef (@Lallanatelli) July 17, 2016
Woodburn > Rashford
— Matt (@USofLFC) July 17, 2016
Ben woodburn is Already better than Rashford #ianrush2.0 @TheRedmenTV @BenWoodburn
— Daniel Gray (@DanielGray08) July 17, 2016
Marcus Rashford wears Ben Woodburn pyjamas
— Childish Fabinho (@ChiIdishFabinh0) July 17, 2016
https://twitter.com/FutboIDan/status/754721368172789760?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Woodburn > Rashford
— Owen Harrison (@OwenHarrisonLFC) July 17, 2016
Ben Woodburn > Rashford
— Alan Walsh (@Walshman_) July 17, 2016
Woodburn >>> Rashford
— John O'Sullivan (@NotoriousJOS) July 17, 2016
Ben Woodburn falters after bright Liverpool start
Ben Woodburn would go on to play nine times for Liverpool in that 2016/17 season, including five times in the Premier League. A the age of 17 and 45 days, that season, he became the Reds’ youngest ever goalscorer when he netted against Leeds United in a League Cup quarter final.
Since that season, his Liverpool career went off track and – although still with the club – only made two extra appearances. He has been loaned out, over the past four seasons, to Sheffield United, Oxford, Blackpool and Hearts. He has three goals in 16 appearances for Hearts, this season. Woodburn has two goals in 11 international appearances for Wales.
Marcus Rashford, who is two years older than Woodburn, has 93 Manchester United goals in 288 appearances and has 12 goals in 46 England outings.
*Post first published in July 2016
