Ben Doak scored one and assisted the other on his winning debut for Liverpool under-19s, with manager Barry Lewtas “really impressed” with his first start.
When the Reds began their UEFA Youth League campaign with a trip to Napoli on Wednesday, Lewtas called on a very young squad.
Among the first-time starters was Doak, who lined up on the opposite flank from teammate Trent Kone-Doherty, 16, in support of forward Oakley Cannonier.
The pair, newly arrived from Celtic and Derry City respectively, turned heads in Naples when Liverpool prevailed 2-1.
Ben Doak started running with the ball and never stopped! ?
He scored one and created another when Liverpool U19 won 2-1 in Napoli.#UYL pic.twitter.com/a2FhFwaHKD
– Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) September 7, 2022
It was Doak who scored the opening goal, before setting up Cannonier for the winner in the second half, making the impact Lewtas had hoped for in his first time working with the youngster.
“Sometimes you can see a player in person several times, but it’s very different when you also work with him,” he told the Liverpool Echo.
“You get to know their personality, see what they bring to the team and I was really impressed. Ben hit the game well.
“Ben is a real straight runner with the ball. You wouldn’t want to defend yourself against him.
“You can see he’s been surrounded by veteran players, he’s tough and robust at times, he can make contact.
“He has had more experience, but there is still a lot he can improve on.”
Liverpool agreed a deal worth £600,000 for Doak in March, and the teenager then confirmed his move to Anfield the following month during a campaign that saw him make his senior debut for Celtic.
The winger came off the bench twice in five days as Celtic sealed victories over Dundee United and Rangers, and his appearance at the Old Firm is a sign of the Scottish club’s faith.
It is perhaps no surprise, then, that Doak is already excelling at youth level for Liverpool, with his goal and assist for the Under-19s adding three goals and an assist in three games for the Under-18s.
On Thursday, Doak was called up to the Scotland under-21 squad for the first time, and it should only be a matter of time before he gets his first taste of action at under-21 level for his club.
Lewtas is apparently convinced, and while Liverpool will remain cautious with his development, hopes are clearly high for Doak on Merseyside.
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