Academy in focus: Ben Doak is Liverpool's most exciting young talent, and Jürgen Klopp will have a good look at him in pre-season
The 17-year-old Scot delivered a handful of promising cameos off the bench last season, and is viewed by Reds coaches as a potential gem for the future
It didn’t take Ben Doak long to make an impact on Liverpool’s senior players, or indeed on Jürgen Klopp.
One training session, in fact, was all it took for the teenager to make his presence felt at the AXA, and to underline the talent and potential which has so many excited about his chances of a first-team career at Anfield.
“Man strength,” was the verdict of one observer after the young Scot had rubbed shoulders with Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and the rest for the first time. “He’s a kid, but he doesn’t play like one,” said another.
That’s Doak. He doesn’t turn 18 until November, but he’s already played top-flight football in both Scotland and England. He’s been on the field in an Old Firm game and he’s tore up the UEFA Youth League.
Klopp thinks he’s “special”, and Pep Lijnders adores him. Steve Clarke considered calling him up for Scotland’s senior side earlier this year, and if he carries on developing at the pace he is currently, then it won’t be long before full international honours come. He’s already a fixture in the U21 squad.
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