Liverpool U21 coach Barry Lewtas has claimed that ‘you can see’ youngster Ben Doak has been around senior football before.
The 16-year-old Liverpool prospect scored a lovely solo goal as The Reds U19s beat Napoli in the UEFA Youth League on Wednesday. Lewtas was in charge for that game, and speaking to the Liverpool Echo, he hailed Doak’s quality.
“Sometimes you can watch a player in the flesh a number of times, but it’s very much different when you are working with them as well. You get to learn their personality, to see what they offer the team, and I was really impressed. Ben linked the game up well,” said the coach.
“Ben is a real direct runner with the ball. You wouldn’t want to defend against him. You can see he has been around senior players, he’s tough and robust in certain moments, he can take contact. He’s had more experience but there’s still a lot he can improve.”
Lewtas also spoke of his first experience coaching fellow new arrival Trent Kone-Doherty.
“I’ve been impressed with Trent Kone-Doherty in the under-18s games with his trickery and ability to change direction. I know the coaching staff are working hard developing that part of his game,” he said.
Doak’s impact earns international call-up
There’s little doubt that Doak is one of the most exciting young players we’ve seen in the youth teams for a while.
To illustrate that point, the Scotsman has just been called up for his country’s U21 side for the first time. He’s only sixteen.
That’s the kind of thing that gets you noticed. If Doak’s super direct style hadn’t made Liverpool fans sit up and take notice already, they may now.
Having already been involved for Celtic at senior level, some may have expected him to feature for Liverpool’s U21 side. But it’s a good call from the coaching staff to start him off in the U19s.
It’s important for Doak to get a good grounding in the club as he attempts to rise through the age groups.
As the season goes on, he’ll surely end up with Lewtas in the U21s permanently. Keep on this trajectory and, who knows, maybe a first-team call-up could even be on the way.
Also a word for Kone-Doherty who has also looked like a brilliant addition. Both youngsters will be ones to watch for Liverpool fans this season and into the future.
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