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It passed almost completely unnoticed, but something rarely spotted occurred during Liverpool's final Premier League game last month.

Six minutes before the end of the 4-0 romp over Brighton and Hove Albion at Anfield, the fourth official held aloft his electronic board to signify the end of the afternoon for Mohamed Salah.

The Egyptian left his home pitch for the last time this season, taking the acclaim of the Anfield faithful following a remarkable debut campaign.

His replacement gained barely a ripple of recognition.

And that was the case for practically the whole Liverpool campaign for youngster Ben Woodburn.

That brief outing was his only top-flight action of the season, and only his second senior appearance in 12 months.

Otherwise, nothing. A few spots on the bench as an unused substitute aside, Woodburn was with Liverpool's under-23s while also skipper of the under-19s side that reached the quarter-final stage of the UEFA Youth League.

The season had tantalisingly hinted at more, particularly back in September at the time of his only other senior Reds appearance of the campaign.

(Image: Michael Regan/Getty Images)

Woodburn came off the bench and impressed during the 2-0 League Cup third round defeat at Leicester City.

It came three weeks after the teenager, still then only 17, kept Wales in contention for World Cup qualification by scoring a brilliant winner to defeat Austria just five minutes into his international debut as a late substitute.

Woodburn was the talk of his country. In Liverpool, though, he soon faded from the first-team picture, certainly in comparison to his breakthrough campaign the previous year when he enjoyed five starts, five appearances from the bench and, of course, became the club's youngest-ever goalscorer when netting against Leeds United in the League Cup in November 2016.

Interesting, though, was Liverpool's decision in January not to send Woodburn out on loan, following the likes of Harry Wilson, Ovie Ejaria and Ryan Kent who all dropped down to the Championship for first-team experience.

It was determined Woodburn's development would be better served at Melwood, where he has subsequently trained regularly with Jurgen Klopp's senior squad.

Indeed, the Welshman was on the bench for away legs at Manchester City and Roma in the Champions League, and travelled to Kiev with the party for the final.

Not 19 until October, Woodburn has plenty of time on his side. He signed a long-term deal in last autumn and Klopp is a huge admirer of his talent and, as evidenced by the emergence of Trent Alexander-Arnold this season, will give youth an opportunity to flourish when the time is rate.

Woodburn continues to develop, both physically and in terms of the nuances of the game without compromising the raw skills that made him such a thrilling find.

But with Liverpool intent on bolstering their attacking options, Woodburn once again faces a battle to elbow his way into the first-team reckoning.

Like Wilson, pre-season – with the late arrival of Liverpool's World Cup contingent – should provide an opportunity. So too the League Cup, should the Welshman not be sent on loan.

Wherever he ends up, though, Woodburn is ready to step out of the shadows to further his development. An intriguing season awaits.