Trent Alexander-Arnold's 'best mate' struggling after emotional Liverpool exit

Former Liverpool starlet Ben Woodburn is enduring a tricky time of things since leaving Anfield in the summer.

The 23-year-old still has his name written in Merseyside folklore having become the youngest goalscorer in Kop history with his strike against Leeds United in the League Cup in November 2016. That period of his career was certainly a dream having progressed from the Reds' academy alongside close friend Trent Alexander-Arnold to make 11 outings for the side.

Speaking at the time, he said: "It makes it easier when one of your mates is with you in the squad. I can chill with him all the time. It's not like going into the squad and not knowing anyone… if you're with your mate, it's a lot easier.

"It is great to see when someone who you know and who you've basically grown up with is doing well as well. It's so nice to see."

Meanwhile, Liverpool assistant manager Pep Lijnders noted the close relationship between the pair. He said: "I use Ben and Trent as an example often because they really are one. They help prove a lot of modern misconceptions in football wrong: that you have to be a certain age, a certain size, that you first have to go on loan and so on before you can get into the first team.

"If you see them after each session and how long they stay on the pitch - not just shooting on goal, crossing and heading and doing the nice things - they always challenge each other to become technically and tactically better."

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Alexander-Arnold has of course gone on to become a key player under Jurgen Klopp but the same cannot quite be said of friend Woodburn. Following loan spells at Sheffield United, Oxford United, Blackpool and Hearts, he was allowed to wave goodbye to Liverpool in the summer at the expiry of his contract and penned a deal with Preston North End.

Since then, the Wales international has made 16 appearances in all competitions for the Lancashire club - only five of those being starts - albeit injury having disrupted his first few months with his new club.

He has however managed to already open his goalscoring account for Preston in a 2-1 defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers in the second round of the Carabao Cup back in August.

Speaking about his start to life with Preston, he said: "It's been good, I've really enjoyed it. It's been a bit stop-start with the injury in the middle but I'm back fit now and I'm ready to help the team.

"It was obviously disappointing, I felt I was getting a decent run in the team and I was playing well. It's just about getting over it and getting back fit and fast as you can. The lads and all the coaching staff helped me massively and I got back pretty quick with the injury that I had.

"We've got some really good players in the team and it's just about biding my time and trying to make an impact off the bench. When I get my chance I need to try and take it."

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