17-year-old Liverpool prospect is determined to impress Jurgen Klopp in pre-season training

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Liverpool youngster Ben Doak has pulled out of international duty for Scotland U21s as he prepares for a big pre-season.

Doak was a breakthrough star during 22/23, rising up from the U18 squad having been signed from Celtic last summer. With Liverpool set to take part in the Europa League next year, the 17-year-old looks set to take on a bigger role.

With that in mind, The Times report that Doak has asked to return home from the Scotland camp. According to manager Scott Gemmill, the teenager wants to be ready to give it his all in pre-season with Liverpool.

“I’ve spoken to Ben and he is really keen to stress how much he loves being with us and playing with us, but we have to trust him that he knows his body best,” Gemmill explained.

“He is a young player who is developing and he has had a hard season at Liverpool with a lot going on in his life and he has asked to be rested. He is really intent to go back to his club in pre-season and really make an impact. So of course we are happy to support him.”

More to come from Doak

This is really refreshing to hear from both Doak and Gemmill. From Doak’s point of view, he really seems to have the hunger to grasp the nettle and make himself a success at Liverpool.

The choice to remove himself from international duty wouldn’t have been easy, but it does underline his commitment to his club.

And from Gemmill’s viewpoint, he could easily have been upset with Doak’s decision. It speaks to the coach’s desire to improve the young players under his care and to make sure they’re doing the best things for their own careers.

Hopefully the move will be of benefit to Doak, who really is an exciting prospect for the Reds.

He already showed that last season. The former Celtic winger is as quick and fearless as they come and injected something into each of the five games he played for Liverpool.

With Mohamed Salah likely to be away at AFCON during the early part of next year, Doak seems to be the man earmarked to pick up the slack.

That’s a lot of responsibility for such a young player. But with his attitude clearly very good indeed, Doak seems to be made of the right stuff to rise to the challenge. We’re expecting big things over the summer and beyond!