Liverpool have recently secured a long-term contract with their rising star, 17-year-old Ben Doak, often dubbed the ‘Scottish Messi.’
In a swift and cost-effective move, the club signed Doak from Celtic for just £600,000 a year ago.
His remarkable talent has sparked enthusiasm among fans and gained recognition from Jurgen Klopp and his coaching staff.
Ben Doak Continues at Liverpool
Doak’s playing style is characterized by his low center of gravity, mesmerizing dribbling, and fearless one-on-one duels with experienced opponents.
Klopp has expressed his admiration for Doak’s unique skills, highlighting his dribbling prowess and straightforward bravery.
Assistant coach Pep Lijnders has also praised Doak’s quick learning ability, emphasizing that his speed and technical ability make him a dangerous player.
Klopp’s Admiration
The Reds boss said earlier this summer (via the Daily Record):
“Doak, obviously nice signs, he’s with us in training again. Special boy, really confident, has something nobody else delivers really, this kind of dribbling, this kind of straight-forward bravery, all these kind of things.”
According to Pep Lijnders
Indeed, Pep Lijnders, Klopp’s assistant, has been equally positive when talking about the young starlet in a press conference last year :
“If you are very quick and technical that makes a really dangerous player. And he learns as well, really quick.
That’s really nice to see because sometimes you can be really quick, really good with your feet, but you don’t learn about the team. You need good players, but the collective in the end makes you successful.”
Promising Talent
While Doak has yet to establish himself as a regular first-team player, he has shown immense promise whenever given the opportunity.
His ability to beat opponents and drive towards open spaces on the flanks has caught the attention of both supporters and coaching staff.
Formation Shift Boosts Attack
Klopp’s recent tactical adjustments, adopting a 3-2-5 formation when in possession, have created more space on the flanks.
This change has benefited players like Mohamed Salah. It resembles Pep Guardiola’s tactics at Manchester City, where wide players like Jérémy Doku have excelled.
Doku, a rapid and direct dribbler like Doak, completed more dribbles per 90 minutes than any other player in Europe’s top five leagues last season.
Doak’s Dazzling Style
While Doak may not see extensive Premier League action in the coming year due to his young age, Doku’s success at Manchester City provides a blueprint for his development.
Liverpool’s current tactical system aligns well with Doak’s strengths, emphasizing dribbling and exploiting the flanks. With time and guidance, Doak has the potential to become a valuable asset for Liverpool.