OXFORD United is the perfect home for Ben Woodburn to rediscover his best form, according to John Aldridge.

The 19-year-old joined on a season-long loan from Liverpool last week, going straight into the starting line-up for Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Sunderland.

Woodburn was handed the No 10 role and impressed in what was his first competitive club game for nine months.

He arrives with something to prove this season, having struggled to live up to the hype since shooting to fame as Liverpool’s youngest scorer in 2016.

Aldridge, who works for the club’s in-house TV channel, had already seen Woodburn’s talent as he came through the academy.

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And the former striker, who was prolific for both the U’s and Liverpool, believes the move is a great fit.

He told the Oxford Mail: “I was at the game when he came on and scored to take Michael Owen’s record. It was a tremendous moment for him.

“Obviously after that his name was in lights a bit and sometimes it just doesn’t happen in the same way as people like Steven Gerrard or Wayne Rooney.

“He’s been a little bit unlucky.

“I think his confidence took a knock slightly when he went to Sheffield United last season and didn’t really play.

“He just needs games, because he is talented.

“Sometimes you’ve got to take, with all due respect, a couple of steps back, to go forward.

“I think both will gain. He’s gone to what I think is a great club with great fans.

“I had great times there and I can’t say anything bad about the club because it’s in my heart.”

Aldridge expects U’s head coach Karl Robinson to create an environment for the Wales international to shine.

With that in place, the success will be determined by Woodburn himself.

Aldridge said: “Karl’s a good lad and he’s a Liverpool fan as well.

“This is a step towards getting back to Liverpool.

“If he wants to get back to those dizzy heights he’s got to really show up creativity-wise and get some goals, which he’s capable of doing.

“You’ve got to be pig-headed and have the guts and determination to prove people wrong and get yourself back on track, which I hope he’s got.”