Former Liverpool captain Phil Thompson has praised the potential of 17-year-old winger Ben Doak.
Doak has been one of the breakout stars of a difficult campaign for Liverpool. Having been signed from Celtic last summer, the teenager quickly rose through the underage ranks to make five first team apperances.
That rapid progress has marked him out of as one of the most exciting youngsters in the country. And speaking to The Herald, Thompson echoed that sentiment.
“What do I think of Ben Doak? Oh my goodness! What a player!” raved the 69-year-old. “I have done quite a few of the youth games for LFCTV and every time I have seen him he has been outstanding.
“One of the great things about Ben is that he just loves football. He has got a wonderful attitude. But he is aggressive and for a forward that is a great attribute to have. He has also got unbelievable pace, he can provide assists and he has got goals in him.
“You just look at him and think: ‘Wow!’ He has had such a rapid rise to fame this season. He has played in the first team this season, which is quite astonishing. I just hope he has got a nice feel for it because he is a tremendous talent.”
Don’t forget about Doak
As Liverpool begin their squad rebuild this summer, they mustn’t forget the prospects they have coming through. Obviously, with the focus on the midfield this season, Stefan Bajcetic is a name that springs to mind in that respect. But Doak’s should do, too.
The way in which the young Scotsman has adapted to life at Liverpool has been brilliant. From the moment he stepped onto the pitch as an U18 player, he looked destined for bigger things.
Equally, from his few first team displays so far, he hasn’t looked out of place at all. Alongside Bajcetic, Doak looks ready-made for men’s football.
Watching him tear down Liverpool’s right-hand side you could have been forgiven for thinking you were watching an old pro. Some refinement is needed, sure, but he’s seventeen. Working with forwards of the calibre that Liverpool have day-in day-out is going to do Doak the world of good.
As a result, Thompson won’t be the only one excited. It isn’t often that Jurgen Klopp throws a 17-year-old in with his senior players on a consistent basis. Doak clearly has something special.
More expectation will be on the Scotland U21 international next season, but he’s stepped up to every question posed of him so far. Continue at the same pace, and he’ll be regular fixture in the squad next campaign.