'They're really good': Max Woltman says three Liverpool players really helped him in first-team training

By Ben Evans

Liverpool are one of a number of teams who have jetted off to the Middle East to prepare for the Premier League.

Jurgen Klopp has the majority of his senior players, and a number of youngsters, getting ready for action in Dubai.

In an interview with the Liverpool Echo, academy product Max Woltman has spoken about training with the first-team.

Woltman is currently out of loan with League Two side Doncaster Rovers after moving on deadline day.

The 19-year-old centre-forward has mainly been used as a substitute, and is still searching for his first goal for the club.

He made his Liverpool debut last season, coming on in the closing stages against AC Milan in the Champions League.

However, first-team opportunities were always going to be hard to come by for Woltman at Liverpool this season.

The loan move makes sense, although he’ll be hoping to finally break his scoring duck soon.

Before leaving the club, Woltman was regularly involved in first-team training.

Speaking to the Liverpool Echo, he talked about the step up from training with the under-21s.

He also outlined which players helped him the most with adapting to joining in with Jurgen Klopp’s squad.

Woltman on Liverpool’s first-team training

The young forward was very complimentary about his senior teammates, but highlighted three in particular who really helped him.

“With the first team they do all look after you and take you under their wing,” Woltman said.

“They talk to you, help you and guide you. That was one of the main things for me.

“[James] Milner is really good at it. He helps you, talks you through the sessions, talks to you about how he wants you to play.

“I think it’s exactly what a young lad coming through needs.

“Especially with Curtis [Jones] and Trent [Alexander-Arnold], they both talk to you and help you fit in. I think they’re really good at helping you get settled and feel part of the team.

“It was a different level when I trained with the first team for the first time. It was just at the end of the international break when they were coming back in.

“I was training with them and was like, ‘Wow! This is a big step in terms of intensity and levels-wise.’”

Liverpool trio makes for perfect role models

It’s no surprise that Milner took Woltman under his wing, given the amount of experience he’s got.

At 36, Milner will know he needs to start shepherding through the next generation of Liverpool players.

Alexander-Arnold and Jones are the perfect role models for Woltman and his academy teammates.

Having both made the step up under Klopp, they know exactly what it takes to become a first team regular.

Woltman will be hoping to be a regular part of first-team training when his loan at Doncaster ends.

He’s got some big shoes to fill after being compared to Roberto Firmino in the past.