The 19 year old has been on loan at Sheffield United since the start of the season, but has struggled for playing time in Chris Wilder's side.

Despite this, many were surprised to see him in the red of Liverpool, not Sheffield United, as he played in Liverpool's 3-2 defeat to Derby County at the club's Academy Ground.

The Sheffield United manager, whose team are currently at the top of the Championship, explained his inclusion to 'The Sheffield Star'.

"Ben's been away with the national squad and didn't get any minutes there, so we felt it was important that he keeps playing football.

October 22, 2018

"And there was an opportunity to get him some minutes. He can do all the running he likes up here in training, but there's nothing like game action and there was an opportunity to get him 65 minutes or so.'

Woodburn, who started on the left, played over an hour in the U23 defeat.

"We were keen, Liverpool were keen and Ben was back with us today," Wilder added.

"It's always an option for Ben to play for our U23s or their U23s, or in a bounce game – we try to arrange them where we can because players who aren't playing, because the team is settled, still need match time and action.

"They're sometimes difficult to arrange because of the fixture list, but we're working to get one for next week and we're looking forward to getting some minutes in those boys", he said.

Benjamin Woodburn

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