On a night when Liverpool booked their place in the EFL Cup semi-final, young forward Ben Woodburn wrote himself into the history books.
The 17-year-old was sprung from the bench for his Premier League debut against Sunderland at the weekend, but his contribution on Tuesday night, again from the bench proved to be far more significant.
Already 1-0 u against Leeds United thanks to a late goal from Divock Origi (with the assist coming from another teenager in the form of 18-year-old right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold), Woodburn found himself unmarked at the far post following good work from Origi, Sadio Mané and Ovie Ejaria to put the ball in his path – and the highly-rated youngster did the rest:
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Woodburn was on hand to finish, directing a fine half-volley past the helpless Marco Silvestri in the Leeds goal.
After becoming Liverpool’s second youngest debutant in the Premier League era last weekend, Woodburn broke a record tonight by becoming the club’s youngest-ever goalscorer.
Ben Woodburn makes history!
At 17 years & 45 days, he is Liverpool’s youngest ever goalscorer.
He beat Michael Owen by 100 days! #LIVLEE pic.twitter.com/C2ocLoewpI
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) November 29, 2016
Though he took a record from Michael Owen, the former Liverpool striker was more than happy to pass on the torch to the young forward with a bright future:
Another record taken from me!!! Congratulations @BenWoodburn on becoming the youngest ever scorer for @LFC at 17yrs and 45days. #KopEnd
— michael owen (@themichaelowen) November 29, 2016
Owen wasn’t the only one to congratulate Woodburn on breaking his duck at Anfield as Twitter lit up almost instantly:
A lot of players who came through the academy & had big careers make an impact early through goals, Fowler, Owen, Woodburn & Carragher! ⚽️
— Jamie Carragher (@Carra23) November 29, 2016
Congratulations Ben Woodburn ⭐️
The Youngest Goalscorer in Liverpool Football Club’s history… #LIVLEE pic.twitter.com/Gj4voGLsRE
— Empire of the Kop (@empireofthekop) November 29, 2016
What a night for 17-year old Ben Woodburn!
68′- subbed on…
81′ – becomes Liverpool’s youngest ever scorer infront of the Kop. pic.twitter.com/pBpa7noyNv
— Soccer AM (@SoccerAM) November 29, 2016
Like the look of Ben Woodburn. Quite an accolade to become #LFC youngest scorer. Nifty.
— Dan Walker (@mrdanwalker) November 29, 2016
82: Anyone else think that shot was going to rip the net off?
What a moment for Ben Woodburn! ?
[2-0] #LIVLEE pic.twitter.com/i0xLv39WNu
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) November 29, 2016
What a great moment: Ben Woodburn is the youngest scorer in Liverpool’s history, 17 yrs 45 days. Beats Michael Owen (17 yrs 145 days)
— Dominic King (@DominicKing_DM) November 29, 2016
Ben Woodburn, #LFC‘s youngest ever goal scorer.
— James Pearce (@JamesPearceEcho) November 29, 2016
…right before this chilling reminder of how young he actually is…
There will be a lot of effort to convey how young Woodburn is but beat this: He wasn’t even born when Triple H won his first WWF title.
— Kristian Walsh (@Kristian_Walsh) November 29, 2016
Jurgen Klopp has been determined to keep Woodburn under wraps for as long as possible this season, but that task is becoming much harder.
Read More About: ben woodburn, divock origi, efl cup, jurgen klopp, leeds, Liverpool, marco silvestri, Premier League, trent alexander-arnold
