Ben Doak has capped a breakthrough week in his Liverpool career by signing his first professional contract at the club.
The 17-year-old has put pen to paper on a three-year deal with the Reds after making a huge impression following his arrival from Celtic in the summer for a fee of around £600,000.
Doak, who celebrated his birthday on Friday, made his first-team debut during an impressive cameo from the bench during the second half of the Carabao Cup third round win over Derby County at Anfield last Wednesday. The winger kept his place among the substitutes for the home Premier League win over Southampton at the weekend.
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Doak has made a significant impact during his short time at Liverpool with the Academy set-up, having already progressed from the under-18 side to the U21s.
The right-winger provided two goals and two assists in the early weeks for the U18s and then scored on his first start for the U21s in the 2-1 mini-derby triumph over Everton last month. He also netted in the EFL Trophy against Accrington Stanley.
Doak, though, has been particularly impressive in the UEFA Youth League, where he claimed four goals and four assists in six group games to help Barry Lewtas's charges win their group and qualify directly for the last 16 in the New Year.
"He’s a really lively boy, a smart player, good dribbler, fast, can use both legs," said Jurgen Klopp after handing Doak his senior Liverpool debut last week. “It’s good. It was nice to watch, really nice to watch. Coming in and immediately making an impact. A lot of things are obviously natural to him which is really helpful.
“I can remember when I saw them at the AXA when we signed the boy and how excited everybody was. Tonight is the next step. It’s cool, he showed up obviously.”
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