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Jurgen Klopp admits he could no longer keep Ben Woodburn under wraps – but says there is no desire to fast-track the young Liverpool striker.

Woodburn was handed his senior debut when introduced from the bench for the closing moments of Saturday’s 2-0 home Premier League win over Sunderland.

The 17-year-old caught the eye during pre-season and has since continued to impress for the under-23s and when on international duty for Wales.

And while Klopp believes Woodburn would have no problem starting Tuesday night’s EFL Cup quarter-final against Leeds United, he is refusing to rush the youngster.

“I think Ben is mentally ready to start a game,” said the Reds boss.

“At that moment I thought it was a good idea (to play against Sunderland), he deserved it and I thought ‘Come on, let’s go’.

“It was only a few minutes. He was ready for it.

“It was only after the game that I remembered it’s now really difficult to keep him back again, not for Ben or for me, but for the public.

“We’ve shown him the Premier League for the first time but the best news for him is there is so much time for him to improve and develop and we will help him.”

Klopp has yet to decide on his starting line-up for the visit of Leeds, Simon Mignolet will start in goal and Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ragnar Klavan, Alberto Moreno, Marko Grujic, Kevin Stewart and Ovie Ejaria are among those likely to feature.

And the Reds boss admits if Woodburn is involved it would be a further nod to the good work by the club’s Academy at Kirkby.

“He’s a very, very promising player and we want to use him as early as possible,” said Klopp.

“There is no decision on when that will be, not because I’m not happy with the development but because I have not decided on the line-up.

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“He and a few others guys are in a really good way and sometimes we have to show that when they have earned something they will get something back.

“The work in the Academy is really good at this moment, there is a lot of promising stuff happening, and we like to have the opportunity to show them that we have seen it.”

In attendance at Anfield will be Klopp’s close friend and former backroom staff member David Wagner, who is now manager at Huddersfield Town.

The Terriers have already beaten Leeds in the Championship this season but Klopp won’t be asking for any pointers.

“He (Wagner) will be there tomorrow,” said the Reds boss. “I don’t ask him for advice, not because I don’t respect his opinion but because it is a different game.

“Leeds have made a lot of changes in the last few rounds too. I have no idea what team Garry (Monk) will play but we will prepare for everything.

“I will speak to David today but not about Leeds!”