Liverpool assistant manager Pep Lijnders has been key in Ben Woodburn's imminent move to Sparta Rotterdam.

The Liverpool Echo says the Reds have given the green light for the 20-year-old, who spent the last campaign at League One side Oxford United, to make the temporary move to the Eredivisie outfit.

Lijnders has been a driving force behind the transfer to his native country having first worked with Woodburn when under-16 coach at the Academy.

Lijnders believes time in Holland will help the Wales international develop in a league that suits his style while also gaining much-needed game time.

League One duo Ipswich Town and Portsmouth were also among those clubs interested in taking Woodburn on loan this season.

Woodburn made his Reds debut as a 17-year-old in November 2016 and three days later became the club's youngest-ever goalscorer when netting in the League Cup win over Leeds United.

However, he hasn't appeared for Jurgen Klopp's side since a seven-minute run-out from the bench against Brighton and Hove Albion at Anfield in May 2018.