‘Surprised’ Klopp received no Wales call over Woodburn

Matt Stead

Jurgen Klopp has expressed his surprise at not being contacted over Ben Woodburn’s first international call-up.

Woodburn was named in Chris Coleman’s latest Wales side earlier this week, with the 17-year-old yet to make his first Premier League start.

He has played over 300 minutes of competitive first-team football in his breakthrough season at Anfield, becoming the club’s youngest scorer when he netted against Leeds in the EFL Cup quarter-finals.

Some feel his call-up has come too soon, and Klopp admits that he perhaps expected to be contacted first.

“Actually, I was surprised about this,” said the German.

“I don’t know exactly how it’s normal here. This should not be a criticism, but usually when you call up a player, a 17-year-old player, I thought it would be possible to call me.

“I’m not sure if he knows him well. He didn’t play in the team so far for Coleman I think. But no call.”

But the Liverpool boss attempted to look on the positive side of things, noting that Coleman can now help with Woodburn’s development.

Klopp said: “He has to learn, he has to develop, he has to improve, all of this. That’s why I said there are now two managers responsible for him. Until now, it was only my job.”