"He's an exceptional player, he's scored 32 goals and that's incredible for a first season," said Woodgate.
"He's got everything you want in a centre forward. He's good in the air, quick, scores goals - a top player.
"He's showed in this league that he's a natural goalscorer whereas in La Liga he didn't score as many goals. There was a lot of pressure on him because he was a local hero at Atletico Madrid but he's come to Liverpool and there is pressure off him because they have the likes of Gerrard. He's done superbly."