‘His potential is enormous’: National team youth coach says Liverpool have an ‘exciting talent’ on their hands

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Scotland Under-21 head coach Scot Gemmill has lavished praise on Liverpool youngster Ben Doak.

After an incredible few weeks, the 17-year-old has joined up with Scotland’s youth side as they prepare to face Iceland on Thursday.

Excited at the prospect of giving the winger another platform to demonstrate his talents, the U21s’ boss told The Scotsman:

“It’s been a brilliant year for him, hasn’t it?” Gemmill said.

“I can remember watching him play for the under-17s earlier in this calendar year, and then obviously as a staff we decided to fast-track him to the under-21 level, to skip the under-19 level.

“It’s great to see that his club are also doing that too. Hopefully we have played a small part in that, he played for the under-21s against Northern Ireland last month and played well and has gone back to his club and had a really exciting couple of weeks there.

“We will give him another opportunity on Thursday to show people what he is capable of.

“I think everyone can see the potential, how he can influence games. His potential is enormous.”

Scotland youth coach praises Doak

Doak has had a brilliant couple of weeks in a Liverpool shirt. The youngster made his senior debut for the Reds in the Carabao Cup against Derby, making a 16-minute cameo off the bench.

Just three days later, the attacker, who had only turned 17 the day before, was included in Jurgen Klopp’s matchday squad for the Merseyside outfit’s Premier League clash against Southampton.

Then, just two days after that, the Scotsman signed his first professional contract with Liverpool. This capped off an unbelievable week for the teenager.

After arriving from Celtic this summer, Doak has impressed at Kirkby. His quick feet and direct attack down the wing has caught the youth coaches’ attention, and his eye for goal has also seemingly caught the eye of the Reds’ first-team boss.

Hailed by journalist Caoimhe O’Neill as an ‘exciting talent’, the 17-year-old seems to have bags of potential.

Therefore, let’s hope we still see Doak walking out at Anfield in a Liverpool shirt for years to come.