It's sad to see what has happened to former Liverpool gem Sadio Mane predicted big things for - opinion
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Sadio Mane enjoyed six fruitful years at Liverpool, playing alongside some world-class talent.The 33-year-old was instrumental in the Reds winning their first-ever Premier League title back in 2020 before eventually leaving to join Bayern Munich two years later.While no longer affiliated with Liverpool, he has been discussing his former side in an interview with Rio Ferdinand this week.Join our newsletter for news & smart analysis. During the chat, Mane revealed what he told Ben Woodburn about becoming a big player at Anfield.However, it’s fair to say that Woodburn’s career on Merseyside never really got going.
Should Liverpool have tried harder to keep Sadio Mane? Photo by Etsuo Hara/Getty Images“Liverpool was like home, it was my comfort zone.
So, I thought let’s try something because I have won almost everything here.”Sadio Mane on why he left Liverpool Sadio Mane thought Ben Woodburn would be a successPreviously, as quoted by the Express, Mane said: “He [Woodburn] is a very good player and has a very good future. “I hope he will keep going and working hard and I think he will be a great player.”The Nottingham-born talent began his youth career at Anfield in 2007, being promoted to their senior side 11 years later.He made his Premier League debut on November 26, 2016, featuring under Jurgen Klopp in a 2-0 win over Sunderland.However, less than a year later, Croatian publication Index, as per the Liverpool Echo, included the then teenager in a list of Europe’s biggest flops.Woodburn went on to make a further 10 appearances for the Reds before eventually departing on a permanent basis in 2022.Photo by Diogo Cardoso/Getty ImagesWhat does former Liverpool prospect Ben Woodburn do nowWoodburn signed with Preston North End on a free transfer, going on to make 64 appearances for the Lilywhites.The attacking midfielder scored three and assisted three in said matches, largely failing to impress in the Championship.Woodburn then secured another free transfer in 2024, this time dropping all the way down to League Two.He has spent the last season and a half on the books of Salford City, playing 53, scoring three and assisting 10.Now 26, Woodburn has gone from being told he has a bright future by Mane to sitting just above mid-table in the fourth tier.