Dominic Matteo thinks that Liverpool talent Ben Woodburn may need to consider going out on loan, even if it is not something he wants to do.
The 18-year-old has been battling to earn minutes in the Liverpool first team, having not had a spell away from Anfield on loan yet.
But Woodburn managed just six minutes of Premier League football and 44 minutes of EFL Cup action for Liverpool's first team last season.
Woodburn lined up for Liverpool's second half team in their 0-0 friendly draw at Bury on Saturday and Matteo, watching on, knows the Welshman needs regular game time.
"For Woodburn he had to start this season positively. The way the season finished for him it maybe wasn't where he wanted to be", Matteo said on LFC TV.
"He was in the Under-23s. He's gone away, looks fit, looks sharp, and just has to get more game time.
"I like him up top in a three, wide areas cutting in, but it's so competitive."
And given the fierce competition for places in the Liverpool team, Matteo floated the possibility of Woodburn going out on loan for the forthcoming campaign.
He acknowledged that the 18-year-old is loving life at Liverpool and may not want to go out on loan, but believes it might be the right option.
"Does he need to go out on loan?
"I know what it's like at Liverpool, you feel comfortable at the club.
"But sometimes you have to do something you maybe don't want to do, to get the experience and come back a better player", the former Liverpool defender added.
Woodburn would likely not be short of options if Liverpool do make him available for loan.
