Football
Glenn Price, Liverpool correspondent 7y

Jurgen Klopp: I was not contacted over Ben Woodburn's Wales call-up

Jurgen Klopp says he did not receive a phone call from Chris Coleman before Liverpool youngster Ben Woodburn was named in the Wales senior side.

Woodburn was included in Wales' 23-man squad for the first time ahead of the World Cup qualifier against Republic of Ireland.

The forward, who became Liverpool's youngest ever goal scorer in November, has made seven first-team appearances for the Reds this season, with Klopp stressing the need for patience when discussing the 17-year-old.

Asked if he had spoken to Coleman about Woodburn, Klopp said: "Actually, I was surprised about this.

"I don't know exactly how it's normal here. This should not be a criticism, but usually when you call up a player, a 17-year-old player, I thought it would be possible to call me.

"I'm not sure if he knows him well. He didn't play in the team so far for Coleman I think. But no call."

After naming his squad, Coleman insisted that Chester-born Woodburn's inclusion was entirely down to footballing reasons as opposed to beating other nations to his international commitment.

While Klopp does not doubt Woodburn can handle the call-up, the Reds boss would have preferred that he was given more time to develop at club level.

"If he stopped learning now, that would make no sense at 17," Klopp added. "I'm not in doubt about this. We didn't hide him. We used him all the time. He's a fixed part of our training. He can deal with the nomination for Wales 100 percent.

"It's a little bit like my situation. As long as you give me the time, as long as we give him the time, everything will be good.

"He has to learn, he has to develop, he has to improve, all of this. That's why I said there are now two managers responsible for him. Until now, it was only my job."

Meanwhile, Liverpool under-23s captain Harry Wilson has been called up to the Wales squad, replacing the injured Tom Lawrence.

Wilson, who will be looking to earn his second international cap, remains Wales' youngest ever player after making his debut in October 2013 aged just 16 years and 207 days.

The 19-year-old has scored 25 goals for the U23s this season and was rewarded with his first-team debut in the FA Cup tie at Plymouth Argyle back in January.

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