Former Liverpool striker Craig Bellamy believes Ben Woodburn needs to play first team football this season.

The Welshman doesn't expect, however, for Woodburn to leave on-loan.

Bellamy said: "Harry Wilson had to go on a little bit of a different route, and for Ben Woodburn, this year is going to be key.

“He's an extremely talented footballer, but he needs game-time. Last year was fine, he didn't need it as much because he was still learning the trade. “But now he needs men's football.

“He might get it at Liverpool because I know how highly they think of him there but if he doesn't he's got to go somewhere else and get it. He just needs to play the game against men week in week out, because bad habits will go then.

“Under-23's football doesn't give you that. They get away with bad habits. He needs those ironed out then he'll be the player we all think he's going to be."