Liverpool U21’s manager Barry Lewtas has been seriously impressed by youngster Ben Doak this season.
Speaking with the club’s official website about the 17-year-old moving up to his side, he lauded the attacker’s approach and backed him further for more opportunities with the first-team.
“We work closely with the first team and our job is to develop the players, put them in an environment where they can flourish and hopefully then, with the support we have from Pep and Vitor in particular, we are able to move boys across,” Lewtas said.
“Ben has done ever so well. It’s OK getting an opportunity and earning it but I think Ben has grabbed it and done ever so well.
“So, it’s up to him to maintain that, but he’s a real focused boy and I’m sure that he will do.”
Lewtas full of praise for Doak
Since arriving on Merseyside last summer from Celtic, the Scotsman has made a huge impression at the club.
Starting with the U18’s and the U19’s UEFA side, Doak is now a regular with Lewtas’ U21’s squad.
In eight appearances with them, he has bagged four goals and two assists – taking his overall tally with the youth teams to ten goals and eight assists in 19 appearances.
He has since been rewarded with five cameos off the bench for Jurgen Klopp’s first-team.
Every time he has featured, he has shown no fear – dribbling at opposition defenders and taking shots when opportunities have arisen.
Having impressed the manager and his coaching staff, there is a big chance we see Doak join up with the senior side more permanently next season.
A loan move could be on the cards, but it seems like the club are delighted with how he is developing at Kirkby.