Liverpool have confirmed they are releasing Wales youngster Ben Woodburn at the end of the month.
Woodburn remains the club's youngest ever goalscorer after netting in a League Cup tie against Leeds United in November 2016 when he was just 17 years and 45 days old.
He enjoyed a similarly meteoric rise to stardom for his country, scoring on his debut from the bench with a scintillating 25-yard strike against Austria in 2017, before setting up the winning goal in the next match, a 2-0 victory over Moldova, again as a substitute.
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The winger would be called upon several more times during the his country's ultimately unsuccessful bid to reach the 2018 World Cup, and was hotly-tipped to be the next big talent of Welsh football.
The Guardian even named him in their list of top young players to watch in 2017, while Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp heralded the winger as 'the Prince of Wales'.
However, Woodburn's progress was largely hampered by injuries and, after stints at Sheffield United, Oxford United and Blackpool, he spent last season on loan at Scottish side Hearts.
Forcing his way into contention amid such a swelling galaxy of stars was always going to be an uphill task, and the Reds have now decided to part company with the 22-year-old for good, despite him seemingly making a huge impression ahead of last season.
Speaking last summer, Klopp said: “[Woodburn] played in the pre-season I think four, five, six, seven positions. Played right-back, did really well; played midfield, did really well; played the wing, did really well; played No.9, did really well. So that’s good.”
Pep Lijnders was equally as enthusiastic, adding: “Again, what a performance from Ben…I’m so happy for him. Like many of the team it didn’t come easy for him, but he has an Anfield future.”
Fast forward to this summer, and Woodburn, who scored three goals in 30 games for Hearts, now seems to be facing an uncertain future.
Striker Divock Origi, Loris Karius and former Cardiff City loanee Sheyi Ojo are among the others to leave Anfield following the end of their current deals.
