Lijnders full of praise for ‘ quick learner’ Doak’s rise at Liverpool
LIVERPOOL assistant manager Pep Lijnders believes Ben Doak’s ability to learn is just as impressive as his talent with the ball.
The Scotland Under- 21 winger is expected to be involved in the Reds squad for tonight’s televised Carabao Cup fourth- round clash against Manchester City.
Former Celtic trainee Doak delivered an eye- catching performance on his debut in the last round of the competition when he climbed off the bench in the penalty shoot- out win over Derby County.
The 17- year- old, who signed his first professional contract with Liverpool just five days later, also earned plaudits for his displays in recent friendly games against Lyon and AC Milan in Dubai.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has spoken highly of the teenager and his assistant Lijnders is also a big fan.
Lijnders said: “You all see, he’s very quick, but if you are very quick and technical, that makes a really dangerous player and he learns as well really quickly.
“That’s really nice to see because sometimes you can be really quick and really good with your feet but if you don’t learn with the team...
“What I just said, you need good players, but the collective in the end makes you successful so that has to work. But he adapts really quickly to our style.
“Ben, I like that combination of speed, mentality and technique, he has all three.”
Doak joined Liverpool from Celtic
in the summer for a compensation fee of around £ 600,000 and Lijnders admits credit has to go to the Anfield club’s recruitment team for signing the player.
He added: “I have to make a compliment to Matt Newbury because he is our academy scout and he brings these players in.
“Nobody hears about them before and it’s not announced as a big signing like everybody.
“But the boys he brings in, it’s not easy because the boy leaves Celtic, goes to a different part, Liverpool.”