BEN HAS THE DRIVE TO BE TOP KOP STAR
SIR KENNY DALGLISH is convinced Ben Doak does not need a lift to handle life in the Liverpool fast lane.
The Anfield legend has been impressed with the 17-year-old following his switch from Celtic.
Doak, ruled out of the Scotland Under-21s squad after suffering a hefty head knock, has been involved in Jurgen Klopp’s first-team squad and has been tipped for big things.
Dalglish said: “I spoke to him for about 30 seconds one day when we were leaving the training ground. I just said to him, Do you want a lift?’
“He was good as gold. He’s settled in and he has people looking after him. It’s important he’s happy and content as the better he’ll be on the pitch.
“He doesn’t need my help but if he does he can always give me a shout.
“The wee man has done well. He’s only 17 but he’s already been on the pitch with the first team.
“He’s got good vision, he can go past players and he’s not selfish. He’s always looking for team-mates.
“It’s asking a lot at 17 to go in there with Premier League team on a regular basis but when he’s been in there he’s done all right.
“It might be a bit difficult to drop Mo Salah for the wee man right now but if he does things right he’ll be recognised. He’s had a few wee cameos and Klopp wouldn’t put him in if he wasn’t impressed.”
Dalglish blazed the same trial as be burst on to the scene in the wake of the Lisbon Lions at Celtic and became a Liverpool hero. He said: “I made my debut at 17. We were 4-0 up at half time and big Jock Stein put me on. I thought he was taking a chance!
“Obviously ability helps at that age but Doak wouldn’t be there in the first place if he didn’t have that, would he?
“If you’re on the training ground with all the big names you can’t afford to be an overawed youngster.
“You don’t need to be afraid, either, do you? The boys there all seem to be decent fellas. It was the same when I was 17, Danny McGrain was 18 and we trained with the first team.
“They were brilliant with us, calming you down and encouraging you. They were the Lisbon Lions. They won five trophies in the one season.
“So, I’m sure the boys at Liverpool, especially Andy Robertson, would look upon it as being responsible for a wee Scottish boy and look after him.”
Dalglish also shot down suggestions Robertson’s form has dipped this season. He said: “Last season they were going for four trophies and they lost the league by a point. They won two domestic cups on penalties and got beat in the Champions League by a goal. That’s how close they got.
“This season it’s not happened. The only thing they have to fight for is a place in the Champions League for next season.
“But Robbo has been as good as he was the year before. He’s a good fella, a good player and he’s very important for Scotland.”