Jurgen Klopp hopes to protect Liverpool’s youngest goalscorer

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp admits it will be difficult to keep the club's new youngest record goalscorer Ben Woodburn out of the spotlight if he continues to score goals.

Woodburn, aged at 17 years and 45 days, beat Michael Owen’s record by 98 days with an emphatic 81st-minute finish in the 2-0 win over Leeds in Tuesday night’s EFL Cup quarter-final.

He had only made his first-team debut in Saturday’s victory over Sunderland — and that was barely a minute at the end of the match — but he is highly-rated within the club and the fact he was born in Chester, like Owen, will only lend itself to unrealistic comparisons at such an early stage.

Woodburn, a 67th-minute substitute, grabbed all the headlines in a match which the visitors dominated for over an hour before Divock Origi’s second in as many matches broke the deadlock in the 76th minute.

"We know how to handle the situation," said Klopp, whose side booked a record 17th League Cup semi-final and their fourth in the last six years, having lost the final to Manchester City last season.

“I can say whatever I want but if he scores goals it’s difficult to stay cool from your (media) side, no problem.

“But nothing what we say here is important enough to help Ben Woodburn or myself.

“My first job is to help these boys be the best. There’s a lot of things to do, especially to keep the public away as long as possible. That’s quite a difficult thing to do.

“But we only bring him when we want to use him. That means when he is on the pitch he is absolutely allowed to score goals.

“I am really happy with him, the only problem is I am a little afraid about you (the press).”

Owen, who was at the match and witnessed Woodburn score in front of the Kop, was quick to pay his tribute.

“Another record taken from me!!! Congratulations BenWoodburn on becoming the youngest ever scorer for LFC at 17yrs and 45days. #KopEnd,” he wrote on Twitter.

Leeds boss Garry Monk was more than satisfied with his SkyBet Championship side's performance after they contested well for the first hour of the game and created some fine chances, hitting the post through Kemar Roofe.

“The team can be proud of what they did,” he said.

“With a little bit more composure, we would have scored two or three goals.

“Unfortunately their quality came through at the end and they scored the goals.

“We deserved more, if we carry on like that we can be successful. The ambition now is to have these types of games week in, week out.”