Doak: My time is coming but I have to stay patient

2 hours ago, TLW said:

Ben Doak says there is no better club than Liverpool to learn his footballing trade.

 

The 17 year-old who arrived at the club  from Celtic has made a lasting impression with teammates and coaches alike due to maturity beyond his years both on and off the pitch.

 

Despite his youth, Doak is seen as one of those rare talents who will be able to adjust to senior football with a minimum of fuss and while still not the finished article, when the Scottish U/21 star has played for the Reds, he has certainly not looked out of place.

 

For a player coming through the youth ranks as Doak has done, normally the hardest man to please is the manager especially at a world class team such as Liverpool with the number of options at the disposal.

 

Luckily Jurgen Klopp is someone who does not take note of birth certificates and if you impress him enough, you will get opportunities.

 

Speaking last month, Klopp had no doubt he will make the grade.

 

“Once Ben bursts into the starting side of it, he won’t look back. That will be him. He has progressed through every level very quickly. Every time he meets a challenge he is thinking what is next.”

 

For the player concerned, Doak is learning from some of the best players in the game who give him honest advice as he explained to the Scottish Herald.

 

“The older players at Liverpool, like Robbo [Andy Robertson] and Mo Salah, quickly remind me, ‘Listen you’re only 17, you’ve not done anything yet, keep grounded and keep working hard’.

 

“My first few months when I was in and around it a lot, it was a bit “oh my god, that’s Mo Salah, that’s Andy Robertson. I was starstruck, but I settled in really quickly. They’re all really good. They’re all just normal lads.”

 

So far Doak has made three appearances in as many competitions this season which includes two starts for a current total of eight for the club.

 

The youngster knows that opportunities won’t come around every game especially when it comes to the quality of depth ahead of him but when the chance, he has to make the most of them.

 

 

“I’ve had a lot of opportunities — much more than last season. I’m really enjoying myself when I get an opportunity but, at the same time, it can get frustrating because I’m not playing as often as I’m used to with the youth teams. I’ve just got to bide my time, but my time is coming. I’ve just got to stay patient."

 

Doak says there are absolutely no regrets over his move to leave Celtic and knows that those in front of him walked the exact same path as he did when they were his age.

 

"Without being disrespectful to teams up here, the level at Liverpool, a team that got to three Champions League finals in recent years, is incredible. 

 

“I look ahead and I know why I’m not playing, it’s because one of the best players in the Premier League is in front of me (Salah).

 

“I have no reason to complain. I’m just trying my best to learn from him and all the others as well. They’re dead good with me, always taking me aside to tell me what I should be doing. They help me keep my head as well.

 

"They know the situation I’m in. They were all the same as well, they’ve helped me a lot. The gaffer’s quite quiet. I think he knows that I know what he expects. I’m just trying to get on his good side and stay on his good side.”

 

 

While it’s natural when you are young to be in a hurry to accomplish goals, it is a sign of the maturity of Doak that he is willing to be patient not just at club level, but for his first senior cap with his national team too.

 

“ I’m not at all [thinking about the Euros next summer]. I’m just trying to take it day by day because if I start thinking that far ahead, it gets too stressful. I’d get too worked up, too frustrated. I can’t even think about next week..

 

“I have plenty of time to get better and I’ll get picked for that team whenever they think I’m ready.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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