The controversial Joey Barton has claimed that Liverpool youngster Ben Woodburn is showing more promise than Real Madrid star Gareth Bale did at the same age.
The 17-year-old Woodburn scored on his international debut for Wales on Sunday night as they defeated Austria 1-0 in a World Cup qualifier. In the process, he became Wales second youngest ever goal scorer behind only Bale.
While talking about Woodburn, Barton said on Talksport as quoted by Alan Brazil’s Sporting Breakfast on Twitter, “His touch for the goal is phenomenal and the ability to strike it. But at 17, I remember Bale at Southampton and you have to say he [Woodburn] is at a higher level isn’t he now.
“I’m not saying he is going to be Bale’s [level]; there is a long, long way to go but I think England have got to be gutted they missed out on him.”
Woodburn has certainly shown a lot of promised and has been touted as a possible superstar for the future.
As a result of the promise that he was showing, he was awarded with a competitive debut for the Reds last November during their 2-0 win over Sunderland in the Premier League. He is also likely to be given more opportunities by Jurgen Klopp this season.
