It has so far proven to be a productive international break for Liverpool’s legion of players on duty.
The Reds saw 15 first-team stars depart to play for their countries as the final national team fixtures of 2024 rolled around.
Monday was another interesting day for the members of the Liverpool squad in action, with Conor Bradley starring for Northern Ireland yet again, even grabbing himself a goal.
Funnily, Bradley was not the only Liverpool player on the scoresheet in the UEFA Nations League, with Andy Robertson heading in a last-second winner for Scotland against Poland.
Robertson’s match-winning turn had been proceeded by another excellent display from Reds youngster Ben Doak.
Doak earned rave reviews for his display last week against Croatia and the 19-year-old was at it again in Warsaw. And prior to the game, Napoli midfielder Billy Gilmour suggested that Doak is starting to turn heads all across Europe.
Billy Gilmour praises Ben Doak progress
Liverpool and Scotland fans were astounded by Doak as he tormented Man City’s Josko Gvardiol on Friday.
The on-loan Middlesbrough forward truly announced himself as a young player with enormous talent.
Of course, Liverpool supporters – and those who have played with Doak – already knew all of that.
But with many more eyes now upon him, Napoli midfielder Gilmour has praised the way the flying winger has dealt with his new-found stardom.
READ MORE: What Liverpool are expected to do with Ben Doak after impressive performances on-loan
“I don’t think I need to speak to Ben Doak about how to handle it. He’s a good kid and he works hard,” Gilmour said in quotes from STV News. “He just loves playing football. You can see he’s doing very well this season, his confidence is high.
“In the game the other night he was a real joy to watch, going down that wing playing really well. He knows himself he is on the scene, everyone is looking at him. He just needs to keep doing what he is doing.
“He knows he has everyone in the team to help him, the manager, and we’ll help him.”
Ben Doak ready for Liverpool first-team
Along with his excellent performances in the Middlesbrough starting XI, Doak’s time with the Scotland national team has been terrific for his development.
Of course, the former Celtic prospect was already making the Scottish squad during his time at Liverpool.
But it feels perhaps unlikely that Steve Clarke would continue to pick Doak if he wasn’t getting any minutes under his belt at Anfield.
Now at Boro and playing every week, though, Doak has deservedly made his way into his national side and after his performances this week will no doubt stay there.
All of that exposure to top level football has meant that Doak looks perfectly primed to take a spot in the Liverpool first-team when he joins back up with the Reds next summer. Onwards, Ben!
Receive a digest of our best Liverpool content each week direct to your mailbox
