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This article is part of Football FanCast’s Opinion series, which provides analysis, insight and opinion on any issue within the beautiful game, from Paul Pogba’s haircuts to League Two relegation battles…
Lionel Messi. Sergio Aguero. Wayne Rooney. Just some of the names in years gone by who have won the Golden Boy award. This time around, Liverpool have two players on the now whittled down 80-man shortlist, and it really will be up to Jurgen Klopp to ensure that the duo live up to their potential.
The Tuttosport-run award sees Kamil Grabara and Ben Woodburn feature amongst this year’s nominations, and whilst there are plenty of big names who are perhaps favourites to clinch the award in the end, the Reds pair can take great pride in their achievements.
But as is the case with a lot of youngsters, hype doesn’t necessarily guarantee you a great career. So many promising young superstars have fallen by the wayside, whether it be a poor attitude and a lack of serious work ethic, or just not being coached right at their clubs.
Be sure to check out the incredible story of the man who rose from a Tanzanian refugee camp to become one of Australia’s biggest football stars in the video below…
And that’s where Klopp must truly step in. Having signed a new long-term contract with the club, Grabara was immediately loaned out to Championship side Huddersfield and should gain some valuable first-team football.
Woodburn on the other hand is at a crossroads. From the euphoria of becoming Liverpool’s youngest-ever goal-scorer, the Wales international has fallen slightly off the radar.
A disappointing loan spell at Sheffield United certainly didn’t help matters, and despite being on tour with the first-team in pre-season this summer, another loan could be on the cards.
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Having won the Champions League last season, and looking to end their long wait for a Premier League title in the upcoming campaign, the room for error is minimal. Throwing academy players like a Grabara or a Woodburn in would have been a huge risk and with potentially damaging consequences.
But shunning them in favour of instant success can be equally as grave, and it will be up to Klopp and the Liverpool hierarchy to decide how best to manage the duo’s futures at the club. Grabara and Woodburn’s Golden Boy nomination have shown that people recognise their talents; now it’s time the Reds do the same.