“Wouldn’t Completely Rule Out…” – Journo Says ‘Special’ Liverpool Gem Could Make Loan Switch

With all the focus on Liverpool’s midfield revolution, a potential solution to Mohammed Salah’s understudy for the season has gone unnoticed.

Ben Doak made significant strides last season, putting himself in contention to be a first-team squad member next season.

The 17-year-old joined the club’s academy from Celtic last summer and after a strong season making two substitute appearances in the Premier League and one in the EFL Cup whilst at academy level he made 27 appearances scoring 11 goals and providing 8 assists.

As Jurgen Klopp has already proved with the likes of Stefan Bajcetic, Curtis Jones and Harvey Elliot, he will give Doak the opportunity to play and prove himself.

This season looks to be that case as the Scotsman is set to be the Reds sixth choice forward next season.

On the latest episode of Expert Insight, Dan Clubbe spoke to Liverpool.com editor, Matt Addison, on Doak’s possible role this season.

Matt said:

“I wouldn’t completely rule out a loan move, for someone like Harvey Elliot, I know Liverpool weren’t pushing for that but he felt could get more minutes and it proved to be the right thing for him.

So I wouldn’t necessarily completely rule that out for someone like Ben Doak, it wouldn’t be the worst thing for him to go and have a full season of minutes and be a regular if you get that loan right.

“I think he’s definitely ready, of all these players, he’s the one you can look at physically and think you could throw him in a Premier League and he wouldn’t look out of place.

He wouldn’t look out of place, he wouldn’t get knocked off the ball. We’ve seen it a couple of times, Aston Villa, I think he let the ball go through his legs and got on the end of his own little dummy.

You know he’s full of confidence, full of quality.”

“I expect his role to grow again next season. Again the Europa League could be one you start, even if it’s 20-30 minutes the group is already done and Liverpool have progressed to the knockout stages.

With all these things you’ve got to sort of hope and pray the domestic cups fall their way. If Liverpool get Manchester City away in the FA Cup and the League Cup then maybe it’s a little bit trickier for him to get that pathway to the minutes.

With Roberto Firmino leaving another forward not necessarily the priority, I think it makes sense to use a couple of these players.”

“I think Ben Doak is almost there, he is a certainty to play minutes for Liverpool at first-team level if he’s still here.

But as I said I wouldn’t completely rule out a loan move, I’m sure there’ll be enquiries I’m sure top end Championship and even a couple of clubs in the Premier League would be interested in him because he is very much ready to take that next step and I’m really excited to see what he can do.”

With Salah not showing any signs of slowing down soon, albeit heading to AFCON in January, playing a season as Liverpool’s sixth-choice forward could prove to be healthy for Doak’s progression.

Not playing in the Champions League should also guarantee him some minutes in the Europa League and if the Reds can put a couple of decent domestic cup runs together the supremely talented youngster should get the chance to showcase his potential.

He is quick and agile and seems to relish any opportunities given to him. If he can reach his potential it might also mean that Liverpool have solved half their problems internally when Salah eventually does leave Liverpool.

Klopp – who himself described the Scot who burst onto the scene as ‘special’ – is always keen to find solutions with players they already have and with Ben Doak, the Reds have a potential future star on their hands.