This season has been anything but smooth sailing for Liverpool's Ben Woodburn, who has had to dust himself down and try again after a forgettable start to the campaign.
After joining Championship side Sheffield United at the beginning of the season, it was expected the youngster was going to set the league alight. Unfortunately, a mixture of injuries and lack of form saw him drop of out favour with Blades' boss Chris Wilder and subsequently returned to Liverpool in January.
gbwls 1-0 | MATCH REPORT @Cymru left it late in Wrexham but @BenWoodburn's added time goal secured a 1-0 win over Trinidad & Tobago.
— FA WALES (@FAWales) March 20, 2019
Next up for Wales is Slovakia in Cardiff on Sunday.#WALTTO #TheRedWall
Having made 11 appearances for Liverpool's first team last term, as well as a series of glittering displays for the Welsh national team, it has been unfortunate to see Woodburn unable to push on and secure regular first team football.
Somewhere he will get first team football though, is for Wales. The 19-year-old was sensational on Wednesday night against a resilient Trinidad and Tobago side, reminding everyone of his undoubted talent on an otherwise forgettable night for Ryan Giggs' men.
With Gareth Bale rested for the friendly, it was up to Woodburn to be the creative spark, and he didn't fail to impress, demonstrating excellent composure on the ball and a load of tricks to boot, culminating in the Reds' youngster scoring the only goal of the game in added time.
Naturally, Twitter reacted, leaving those watching purring over the Welshman's ability and making their thoughts known on social media:
That goal for woodburn tonight could put his season and his career back on track. Still believe he has a future at liverpool if he wants it
— Jack (@the_baileys22) March 20, 2019
Hasn’t been a fun season for Ben Woodburn but there’s a player in there. As much as a chested winner from a yard out on a miserable Wednesday in Wrexham can mean anything to anyone, that’ll mean a lot to him. #LFC #Wales
— Mark Jones (@Mark_Jones86) March 20, 2019
Very encouraging performance from Ben Woodburn tonight for Wales. Poor opposition yes, but given he hasn’t played much football he looked sharp.
— Ronan O'Rourke (@ronan_orourke) March 20, 2019
Still have high hopes, very young still!#LFC
Vaulks excellent - hope he gets a move to a bigger Champ team. Hedges, Roberts and Thomas looked good also. Woodburn desperately needs to get playing. Real talent that’s being wasted atm
— Stewart Holt gbwls (@Stewart_Holt) March 20, 2019
Pleased for Ben Woodburn to get the winning goal tonight, seems to have been a rough 12 months for him. Hopefully this is a catalyst to better things.
— Chris Roderick (@croderick1982) March 20, 2019
I hope Ben Woodburn’s goal for Wales gives him the confidence to re-ignite his career #LFC
— Jamie (@jamieb1302) March 21, 2019
Ben Woodburn has been very unfortunate with his loan spell and injury setback this year. Glimpses of his talent tonight, quite inconsistent throughout however. But he needs match time to develop. Still only 19.. loving the youth coming through atm #WALTTO #TheRedWall gbwls
— Tom (@tomrobinsonnn) March 20, 2019
Ben Woodburn has more goals for Wales than Liverpool. Will it happen for him or will he be gone?
— BM (@ThenBarrySaid) March 21, 2019
Woodburn, is a great kid, he is a talent and a goalscorer.
— Wales International Football [dragonsoccer.uk] (@dragonsoccer58) March 20, 2019
Travelling back to Cardiff tomorrow, few bumps, but players ok.
Thought Woodburn looked a class above everyone else.
— Paul Godding (@7puzzle) March 20, 2019
Source : 90min