‘It’s hard to believe’: Coach raves about Liverpool’s ‘phenomenal’ 16-year-old after what he did yesterday

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Liverpool coach Barry Lewtas says it’s ‘hard to believe’ just how good Ben Doak is at 16 years old. The teenager was fantastic vs Rangers.

Liverpool’s Ben Doak put in a performance to remember on Wednesday afternoon as the Reds’ U19s side travelled to play Rangers. The UEFA Youth League has been good to the academy side this season and this was no exception.

Doak helped create Liverpool’s first goal and played a vital role in the third. But it was after the Reds went a man down that the teenager really shone. Rangers fought back into the game, equalising at 3-3 not long after the red card.

The former Celtic prospect then stood up to be counted. He scored a sensational goal, starting at the corner flag with his back to goal. Some neat moves and three confused defenders later, he was curling the ball into the far corner with the outside of his foot.

But Doak offered more than that. He played multiple positions as coach Barry Lewtas tried to find a 10-man formation that worked. That included operating as a lone striker with no one around him – and Doak put in the necessary work rate. His run with three defenders on him in stoppage time to win a free-kick all but secured the points.

How good Ben Doak is at 16

Lewtas raved about Doak after the game, saying it’s ‘hard to believe’ that the youngster is still only 16 years old.

“It is hard to believe he’s still only 16,” he said, per the Liverpool Echo. “I thought his work-rate was phenomenal and his ability to keep going as a lone nine.

“There was no moaning from him. He tried to hold the ball up and played for the team. The last two games he has certainly raised his game, but unfortunately for him he can’t play against Rangers every week!

“You wouldn’t want to play against Ben. He keeps knocking on the door, running in behind, he carries the ball and is aggressive.”

Doak arrived from Celtic with a big reputation and he’s managing to live up to it. His effort, skill and desire against Rangers were all fantastic to see – more like that and he’ll get first-team opportunities in no time.