Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has expressed his admiration for 17-year-old winger Ben Doak, who has been training with the first team.
Young Sensation Ben Doak Impresses Klopp
Doak, who joined Liverpool from Celtic last year, has already made five appearances for the senior side and has impressed with his dribbling skills, bravery, and technical ability. Klopp sees great potential in the young player and expects him to feature more prominently in the upcoming season, particularly in the Europa League, as Liverpool failed to qualify for the Champions League.
During his press conference before the Southampton match, Klopp enthusiastically praised the talented young teenager when asked about the youngsters who impressed him this season.
“Ben Doak, obviously. Nice signs,”
said the Liverpool boss.
“He’s with us in training again. Special boy, really confident. Has something that nobody else delivers really, this kind of dribbling, this kind of straight forward bravery. Technically really good, high speed, super promising. But very young.”
Doak’s Europa League Opportunity: Following Saka’s Path
The Europa League could provide a valuable platform for Doak’s development, as it has for Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka. The Gunners have successfully integrated young talents through the competition, and Saka, in particular, has thrived after making his debut and scoring his first goal in the Europa League.
Klopp can follow a similar approach with Doak, allowing him to gain experience in competitive senior environments while managing expectations and focusing on long-term growth.
Liverpool’s qualification for the Europa League comes at an opportune time for Doak, who has already outgrown academy football. With limited depth in the right-wing position behind Mohamed Salah, Doak has the chance to earn more first-team minutes.
The Europa League’s early rounds, including the group stages, offer Klopp the opportunity to give younger players a chance, providing Doak with the ideal platform to make an impact.
Furthermore, the Europa League could prove beneficial for Liverpool’s overall rebuilding process, allowing their young players to gain valuable experience without the high-pressure environment of the Champions League.
Emulating the success of Saka at Arsenal could serve as a motivating example for Doak as he aims to make his mark at Anfield. Ultimately, the Europa League could create more opportunities for Liverpool’s promising youngsters, potentially saving the club millions in future transfer fees.
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