Liverpool youngster Ben Doak has served Arne Slot with a reminder of his talent as he notched an assist while playing for Scotland – following on from a masterclass showing versus Croatia.
The 19-year-old, who is currently out on loan at Middlesbrough, is enjoying a steady rise as he continues to make his mark for his country. He was rewarded with a call-up to the senior squad by Tartan Army boss Steve Clarke after 10 appearances so far this term in the EFL Championship.
After making his debut in September, the right-winger already looks at home on the international scene as provided the ammunition for John McGinn to open the scoring within three minutes versus Poland. The Aston Villa midfielder was arriving in the box as Doak slipped him in to give Scotland an early lead in the clash.
Kamil Piatkowski equalized for Poland in the second half before Andy Robertson scored a last-minute header to give Poland a 2-1 win.
The former Celtic trainee is riding the crest of a wave after a memorable showing versus Croatia only days early as the Scots earned a 1-0 win at Hampden Park. The hosts had won just once in 16 outings heading into that clash but Doak proved a bright spark en route to a famous victory on home turf.
Tormenting Manchester City defender Josko Gvardiol throughout in a Man of the Match performance, he left the former RB Leipzig man for dead during one moment in the first half. Eventually, the Scottish players were rewarded with their persistence too as talisman McGinn stepped up with the winner in the 86th minute.
The win also revived Scotland’s Nations League campaign, earning them a first win in Group A heading into a crucial clash with Poland.
Having already made his debut for Liverpool at the age of 16, he already boasts 10 appearances to his name with his parent club alongside his experience at international level. Doak will not return to Merseyside until next summer, with the starlet set to remain at the Riverside Stadium until the end of this season.
However, his performances for his country will do his burgeoning reputation no harm back at Anfield – as the Scot furthered his case as a potential long-term successor to Mohamed Salah. With the 32-year-old currently in the final year of his contract with Liverpool, he will be free to depart at the end of this term for nothing unless an extension is signed.
Moreover, if Salah is to commit to a new deal at Anfield, his ability to potentially act as a mentor to the academy graduate could prove invaluable to the latter’s development. Either way, the signs are bright that Reds head coach Slot has a major talent on his hands who could eventually step into the Egyptian’s shoes in the form of Doak.
For now, Scotland boss Clarke is determined to protect the teenager amid the growing fanfare surrounding the nation’s great young hope. Coming into the clash with Poland, the former Liverpool assistant manager said: “He can be (a game changer), as long as we look after him and make sure that he continues to develop. A lot of people see the good things that he does.
“Me and my coaching staff are a little bit more analytical. We’ll see other things that he doesn’t do quite so well, because he’s only a young player and he’s looking to learn.”
