'Ridiculous pace': BBC pundit blown away by 'very, very special' Liverpool teenager on international duty

11/16/2024 03:01 AM

Liverpool may not be in action at the moment because of the ongoing international break, but a number of their players are.

Curtis Jones scored on his debut for England against Greece, while Conor Bradley starred for Northern Ireland against Belarus in the UEFA Nations League.

Alexis Mac Allister was in action for Argentina as well, while on Friday evening, Ben Doak starred for Scotland.

Doak is on loan at Middlesbrough from Liverpool at the moment. The 19-year-old, who can operate as a right-winger or attacking midfielder, moved to Boro in the summer of 2024.

The teenager has done well for Boro so far this season. Doak has scored one goal and given three assists in eight starts and two substitute appearances in the Championship.

Doak has already established himself in the Scotland squad, and on Friday evening, he was a star for his national team.

Scotland beat Croatia 1-0 at Hampden Park in Glasgow in UEFA Nations League – League A – Group 1.

John McGinn scored the winning goal, but it came only after a brilliant effort from Doak, who was a constant problem for Manchester City and Croatia defender Josko Gvardiol.

Starting on the right wing in a 4-2-3-1 formation, Doak took one shot, played two key passes, had a pass accuracy of 90%, took 44 touches, attempted two dribbles, made one clearance, and put in three crosses.

Former Chelsea and Scotland international winger Pat Nevin was blown away by the pace of Doak and his overall quality.

Craig Levein, who played 16 times for Scotland, was also impressed, and so was Steve Clarke.

Liverpool-owned youngster Ben Doak praised on international duty

Nevin said about Doak on BBC Radio 5 Live: "Ben Doak has got a lot of things – ridiculous pace, good skills and no lack of belief.

"Tonight was a breakthrough. Coming of age at 19 is saying a lot, but he is very, very special. At this point in time, he looks undroppable for Scotland.

Levein noted about Doak on BBC Sportsound: "He was fabulous, Ben Doak.

"He didn’t have the same confidence in the first half. Steve clearly had a word with him at half-time about Gvardiol to say ‘take him on'.

"I would have hated to have played against him in that second half. He was terrifying."

Clarke said about the Liverpool-owned youngster on BBC Sport: “It was good but I thought he might be. He’s come into the team, he’s shown a really positive attitude, he gives us something different to what we’ve had before.

“He gets the assist for the goal, could maybe have had a couple more, maybe have scored one himself. He’s a young player we need to protect and look after but realise that he’s good for now and hopefully for a long time in the future.”

How the media in Scotland reacted to Ben Doak's display

Just like pundits in Scotland, the media has also been hugely impressed with the performance produced by Doak.

The 19-year-old is fast becoming a regular in the Scotland squad, and the media in the country thinks that he is a gem.

While rating Doak 7 out of 10, Football.Scotland noted: "The brightest spark on a rather dull night. One turn in particular in the opening 45 got everyone out of their seats. Only 19 years old… he can’t do it all alone. Played a vital part in the winning goal too."

The Edinburgh Evening News felt that the youngster deserved 8 out of 10 and wrote: Got in behind Gvardiol for the first time after 18 mins, teeing up McTominay’s chance. Involved in most of Scotland’s positive attacking play and always looked to torment. Volleyed Gauld’s cross inches wide. Trickery forced the keeper into a save which led to McGinn’s goal. Subbed."

The Scotsman gave Doak 8 out of 10 and noted: "His cheeky turn and nutmeg of Josko Gvardiol midway through the first half acted as a catalyst for Scotland to be more attack-minded. His searing pace and direct running proved torturous for Croatia – particularly for the £78million Man City star Gvardiol – down the down the right flank and he was by far and away Scotland’s most threatening player. Blazed over from close range but more than redeemed himself with the cross that led to the opener. Such an exciting player to watch. 9."

Doak also got 8 out of 10 from The Herald, who wrote: "This young man is going to be some player. What better way to atone for a rather meek start where Manchester City's Josko Gvardiol got the better of him? Nick around him with an audacious backheel flick and run off him. That certainly got the sleepy crowd on their feet. Showed his outstanding technical ability a short while later as he turned Gvardiol again. Had to do better with his failed cross for Conway on 53 minutes. A poor final ball. He didn't stop trying though, as he continued to pester on the right wing, getting to the byline and crossing the ball, while also working hard for the team in tracking back. He beat his man to get the cross in which caused the goal."