Liverpool news: Chris Coleman sends SOS to Liverpool ace Ben Woodburn to save Sunderland
Black Cats boss hopes the youngster he handed a Wales debut will repay the favour by firing Wearsiders to Championship safety
SUNDERLAND boss Chris Coleman has sent an SOS to Liverpool and his former Welsh prodigy Ben Woodburn.
The Black Cats chief wants the 18-year-old forward on-loan to save Sunderland's Championship season.
Coleman's men are currently rooted to the bottom of the table and have won just four league matches this campaign.
Their plight worsened last week when Bournemouth recalled on-loan Lewis Grabban - the North East side's top goalscorer with 12.
That has leaves the ex-Wales manager desperately short of attacking options, and he has turned to the youngster he handed an international debut to help fire them away from trouble.
Woodburn enjoyed a fine breakthrough campaign last season as he became Liverpool's youngest-ever goalscorer when bagging against Leeds in the EFL Cup.
He featured a further nine times for the Reds before Coleman called him up to the senior Wales squad.
The teenager burst onto the world scene when he came off the bench and scored a fabulous 25-yard strike seconds into his bow to seal a 1-0 win over Austria.
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Liverpool, and Wales, both have high hopes for the hotshot but are determined not to put too much pressure on him at this stage.
Jurgen Klopp has only used him once so far this campaign in the Carabao Cup defeat at Leicester but is keen for Woodburn to gain some further experience away from Anfield.
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A host of Championship clubs are also interested in securing the services of the ace until the end of the season.
However, Coleman is hoping to use his relationship with the starlet to help lure him to Wearside and persuade Klopp the Stadium of Light is the right environment for Woodburn to blossom despite their woes.
Liverpool chiefs will take their time before deciding on the youngster's future, which could leave Coleman waiting until the end of the month before discovering if he has been successful.
Meanwhile, the Sunderland gaffer is wasting no time in trying to bring in other reinforcements.
He has opened talks with Burnley over a surprise move for veteran Jon Walters.
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And he is negotiating a loan deal that could become permanent if the Black Cats stay up.
Republic of Ireland regular Walters has hardly featured for Burnley in an injury-hit campaign.
And Sunderland are hoping he could be interested in the chance to play regularly.