Ben Doak could have just been denied a start for Liverpool against LASK Linz, according to Jurgen Klopp.
Ben Doak’s next move with Liverpool was in the EFL Trophy back in October.
The winger’s first experience playing men’s football since arriving at Anfield was a trip to Accrington Stanley, where he had previously excelled for the Under-18s and Under-19s after signing from Celtic in a £600,000 transfer last summer. It was abundantly evident that it would not be the last as the final whistle blew.
Prior to their last group match at the Wham Stadium, Liverpool Under-21s were already out of the competition after a 2-0 deficit grew to a three-goal deficit in only two minutes after Doak was introduced in the 68th minute. After Calvin Ramsay had scored just a few seconds earlier, the then 16-year-old would still make it a night to remember by making it 3-2 in stoppage time.
Days later, Barry Lewtas’ team received their first start when Doak scored the game-winning goal in a 2-1 victory over the Everton Under-21s. Just over a week later, the winger made his first-team debut for Jurgen Klopp off the bench against Derby County in the League Cup. Later the same day, the teenager made his professional debut after turning 17 years old.
Doak played five times for Klopp’s first team during the previous campaign, including two Premier League games. Combining his games in the U18 Premier League, UEFA Youth League, EFL Trophy, and Premier League 2, he made 27 appearances at the academy level and registered 11 goals and 8 assists.
Doak scored goals in each of his first two Under-18 appearances against Middlesbrough and Leeds United, but his time with Marc Bridge-Wilkinson’s team would only last five games before Under-21 duty demanded. Naturally, his performances in the UEFA Youth League, where he scored four goals and provided four assists against Napoli and Rangers alone, contributed to his promotion.
It makes sense why he was the buzz of the Academy weeks before Klopp first noticed him.
More senior opportunities are now anticipated to come this year after being given another Premier League debut on the opening day of the season against Chelsea. He also scored against Leicester City.
Because of this, it would be unexpected to see Doak play in the EFL Trophy again on Tuesday night when the Liverpool Under-21s visit Morecambe. Instead, a trip to Austria to play LASK Linz in the Europa League beckons after just missing one matchday squad under Klopp thus far this season.
The 17-year-old was selected earlier this month for the Reds’ 23-man squad despite not having spent long enough at the club to be considered an Under-21s player on List B for UEFA competition. Doak might be given a longer appearance because his longest competitive game under Klopp so far lasted 22 minutes, however the German may have downplayed expectations for a potential debut start.
Looking ahead to this season’s Europa League, Klopp told TNT Sport that whether or not there will be children playing depends on their ability to perform at that level at that particular time. “There is genuine talent there, but it is not novel.
“I believe we should have enough players, and that’s basically the plan, to field a top squad on Thursday and Sunday if we are not hit by an injury problem. Then, we’ll determine how to form a team.
We shall see, but our children are good. When you have all these kids in training, that is the advantage of the most recent international break. Boys who are 16 years old who are really talented and good were present.
“I can’t wait for them, but as soon as we leave them alone, they will develop and do all of these things. However, the Academy has a few talented athletes, and for any Liverpool fans out there, I have no doubt that the future is promising.
Doak is perhaps the best of the bunch, but Liverpool will keep an eye on him because manager Jurgen Klopp has no intention of giving him emotional starts. Even while his first team performances have been thrilling thus far, there is one thing he has missing that highlights how he still has untapped potential, with his senior career being restricted to shining cameos.
With the ball at his feet and charging both at and past fearful opponents, he has been at his best for the Reds. These qualities enthuse fans and eject spectators from their seats.
But what use is it to defeat a man if you can’t maintain your composure long enough to choose your teammate or score for yourself? Unsurprisingly, despite finding himself in these perilous final third positions, the head-down winger still struggles to deliver the decisive pass.
That will naturally come from the 17-year-old in due time, and his performances at the Academy level have amply proven that he naturally has it in his bag. Despite the fact that he scored in each of his first three starts for the Under-18s, Under-19s, and Under-21s, it still needs to happen at the senior level for him to take a more major step ahead.