Impressed Jurgen Klopp admits he was chuffed to see Ben Doak excite Liverpool punters on his thrilling debut.
The 16-year-old former Celtic star was a second-half substitute as he joined compatriot Calvin Ramsay on the pitch for the EFL Cup penalty shoot-out win over Derby. Doak has been turning heads at youth level for the Reds and there was palpable excitement when he entered the pitch.
Doak made an instant impact from Mo Salah's favoured right wing role as his driving runs pushed the Derby backline into retreat as the Kop applauded a player they believe is a future first-team regular. And Doak's rousing cameo earned heady praise from his manager. Klopp, speaking after the game, said: “That’s Ben. His instructions were easy: do what you do all the time. He’s really a lively boy, a smart player, good dribbler, fast, can use both legs.
“He’s good! It was nice to watch, eh? It was really nice to watch, him coming in and immediately a lot of things are obviously natural to him, which is really helpful. I’m pretty sure his family was here tonight. I can remember when I saw the family at the AXA when we signed the boy, how excited everybody was.
“And now having that night, it’s the next step. It’s cool, he showed up, obviously.”
Meanwhile, Ramsay's full debut earned kudos from those within Anfield as well as the match reporters who watched the Reds outlast the Rams. The Liverpool Echo, moved by the former Aberdeen man, said: "Impressed with athleticism and tenacious defending while also eager to support down the right. Saw plenty of possession."
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