Liverpool youngster Ben Doak has revealed that he is using Mo Salah for inspiration and is looking to the Egyptian for help on how he can develop his game.
The former Celtic man scored on his Scotland Under-21 debut against Northern Ireland on Thursday and has been impressing the Reds’ younger age groups this season.
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The teenager signed with the Glasgow-based outfit earlier this year after making his senior debut for Ange Postecoglou’s side in January.
Often deployed as a winger, Doak can also operate as a full-back and is one of the club’s most exciting young talents – the 16-year-old revealed he has been admiring Salah ever since he moved to Merseyside.
“My U21 debut felt like any other game to be honest,” Doak told the Glasgow Times (via the Liverpool Echo). “I wasn’t really nervous. The guys have been good to me and I have settled in and felt very comfortable. For me recently, there have been a lot of adjustments, but I think I’ve been comfortable and I think I’ve done very well with the changes.
“Mainly it’s about meeting people, football hasn’t really changed, it’s about getting to know the guys and staff at the new club. I just need to try and keep improving, particularly off-the-ball things.
“I’m trying to improve a lot what I do with the ball. That’s one of my strengths, but you can always do better. I admire Mo Salah obviously. Even if he’s not having the best of games, he always shows up with a goal. His numbers are incredible and speak for themselves.
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“I scored against Napoli in the Youth League. It helps that I did really well in the first two games. I have all the numbers to back that up too. Even if I’m not having a good game, I can remember what I did earlier in the season to keep my confidence.
“Six months ago you would never have found me defending anything. And that’s the difference between making him a first-team player and not a youth player. I’m trying to turn my entire game into a fortress.
“I haven’t seen the first team very often, but I think it’s deliberate and for you to want to get there. If I saw them all the time it wouldn’t be normal. It should be a privilege to be there.”
Doak cost the Reds a hefty £600,000 this summer and although he was gaining senior minutes at Celtic Park, the Scotsman insists he made the right decision in traveling to England to continue his development.
“I was just trying to think of the best way forward to improve as a soccer player,” Doak added. “But once I got down to Liverpool and saw the standards and the facilities, it is of the highest standard. There is nothing better than where I am now.
“I’m in the best place.”
Jurgen Klopp isn’t afraid to trust youngsters with 19-year-old Harvey Elliott just one of many youngsters who have flourished under the guidance of the former Borussia Dortmund manager.
With Doak continuing to impress for both club and country, it may be a matter of time before we see the talented teenager involved with Liverpool’s first team or sent on loan to gain vital experience at senior level.
Training alongside the likes of Mo Salah and Luis Diaz will help the young winger further develop his game, while Tyler Morton, Leighton Clarkson and Sepp van den Berg are just a few of the stars from the club’s Academy currently playing club football. first team on loan. .
Elliott benefited greatly from his loan time at Blackburn Rovers and the same would be expected of Doak whenever Klopp believes he is ready for a loan move.
It is great to see that he is enjoying his time at the club and we wish him all the best for the future.
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