‘Second game for us’: Liverpool coach says U21s have a ‘real threat’ coming through and he’s only 16

Add as preferred source on Google

Liverpool U21 coach Barry Lewtas thinks the Reds have a ‘real threat’ coming through in 16-year-old Ben Doak. The teenager continues to impress.

Ben Doak once again put his name in lights this week as he scored a late goal for Liverpool’s Under 21s. The teenager came off the bench to grab a 93rd-minute goal – unfortunately not enough to stop a 3-2 defeat to Accrington.

But it was still a milestone moment for the youngster. This was only his second appearance at U21 level and not a particularly long one. Still, he managed to grab a goal as he continues to impress every time he plays.

Barry Lewtas certainly felt that way. The U21 boss talked up Doak to the Liverpool Echo after the defeat in the Papa John’s Trophy.

“Obviously it was only Ben’s second game for us off the bench,” he said. “Ben gives you a real threat in behind. He carries the ball well, he’s a willing runner in those moments and the game was probably just crying out for a little bit of that as well.

“I felt we needed to get the ball up in their half, whether it be through carrying the ball or building it up so Ben was a good option for us off the bench.”

Ben Doak for Liverpool U21

It’s the second time in a week that Lewtas has praised Doak. He talked after the UEFA Youth League win over Rangers about it being ‘hard to believe’ that the player was still only 16.

That came as Doak scored a truly fantastic goal against Rangers, dribbling from the corner flag to finish as the Reds won 4-3 with 10 men.

It’s becoming more and more clear, then, that Doak is a special talent. It may not be too long that he gets a go at senior level, given he continues to shine every time Liverpool ask something new of him.