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Glasgow Live
Glasgow Live
Sport
Alan Galindo

Former Celtic kid Ben Doak lands Liverpool praise with coach 'very impressed' after Napoli display

Liverpool coach Barry Lewtas admits he was very impressed with Ben Doak after his goal and assist on his debut for the Reds' Under-19 side.

The former Celtic kid provided an assist for Oakley Cannonier's eventual winner but his opening goal was the real headline moment in the clash with Napoli in the UEFA Youth League. He started a run in his own half, bombing down the right and weaving into a shooting position past a few defenders inside the box, firing low into the bottom corner.

Gennaro Iaccarino had levelled for the Italian outfit but the Scotland Under-21 call-up turned on the clinical style twice. It adds to his current top form for the academy side. Doak featured twice for Ange Postecoglou's top team before his move to the English Premier League giants - who will come up against Rangers in the UEFA Youth League.

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But it was his performance against the team from Naples that had tongues wagging with his coach heaping praise on his real direct running style. However, he does concede the 16-year-old still has areas he can vastly improve.

Speaking to the Echo Liverpool coach Lewtas said: "Sometimes you can watch a player in the flesh a number of times, but it's very much different when you are working with them as well.

"You get to learn their personality, to see what they offer the team, and I was really impressed. Ben linked the game up well.

"Ben is a real direct runner with the ball. You wouldn't want to defend against him.

"You can see he has been around senior players, he's tough and robust in certain moments, he can take contact. He's had more experience but there's still a lot he can improve."

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