International coach says he’s noticed a big change in Liverpool attacker recently

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Liverpool youngster Ben Doak is getting better and better as he trains with Jurgen Klopp’s first team.

Doak has been a fixture in the Reds senior squad ever since breaking through last season. With two starts already this campaign, the 17-year-old is now a genuine option for Klopp’s front line.

And according to Scotland U21 coach Scott Gemmill, the exposure to men’s football is doing wonders for Doak. Speaking to The Herald, Gemmill says he really noticed the development in the teenager’s game when working with him on the recent international break.

“I did see a difference when he [Doak] was with us the last month in Spain,” explained the former Everton midfielder. “He is more confident than ever, and he is stronger than ever and faster than ever.

“His mentality is also changing and maturing, and he has added to the group on and off the pitch.

“His performance was very impressive, and he is becoming a leader off the pitch even though he is younger, and he sets an example every day in training.

“The level of the training is very high, but there is no question Ben is definitely maturing very fast and you can tell he is obviously training and playing every day with really good players. So it is really exciting to see his development.”

Doak development continues

Although he’s way ahead of schedule in his development at Anfield, Doak may feel slightly frustrated by his start to the campaign.

The opportunities have been there so far, that hasn’t been the problem. But in both the game away at LASK and the cup tie against Leicester City, the former Celtic man might perhaps feel as though he could have done more.

That might sound harsh, but against Leicester in particular, Doak could quite easily have bagged at least two goals.

He did hit the bar in the first-half at Anfield, but seeing the standards he holds himself to, the youngster will feel that was an opportunity missed.

Nevertheless, there should be no worries about Doak. In both of those recent games the Scotland U21 winger still showed more than enough that he’s very much on the right track.

With Cody Gakpo now confirmed as a casualty and Darwin Nunez still struggling for full fitness, Doak should get another Liverpool start on Thursday, against Union Saint-Gilloise.

You wouldn’t bet against him making it third time lucky with a meaningful contribution at Anfield. Even if that doesn’t come true though, those close to him can see that Doak is developing at a rate that Liverpool fans should be very excited about.