Ben Doak
Scottish footballer.
Ben Doak, born on November 11, 2005, is a Scottish professional footballer who plays as a right winger for Liverpool. At just 18 years old, Doak has already made a significant impact in top-flight football, becoming one of Liverpool's youngest-ever Premier League debutants. His rapid rise through Celtic's youth ranks and subsequent move to Liverpool has marked him as one of Scotland's most promising young talents. Doak's fearless style of play, combined with his technical ability and speed, has earned him comparisons to established wingers and caught the attention of both club and country, positioning him as a potential future star in the making.
Early life & youth football
Doak was born in Dalry, North Ayrshire, Scotland, and began his football journey with Celtic's youth academy. He progressed quickly through the ranks, showcasing his talent and potential from an early age. In the 2021-22 season, Doak made his professional debut for Celtic at just 16 years old, featuring in two Premiership games. His performances at youth level and brief first-team appearances caught the eye of several top clubs across Europe. In March 2022, Liverpool secured Doak's signature for a compensation fee of £600,000, beating out competition from other interested parties.
Professional career
Doak's senior career began in earnest during the 2022-23 season with Liverpool. He made his debut for the club on November 9, 2022, in an EFL Cup match against Derby County, coming on as a substitute in the 74th minute. His Premier League debut followed on December 26, 2022, in a 3-1 victory over Aston Villa, where he immediately impressed with his fearless approach and skill on the ball. Throughout the season, Doak made a total of five appearances for Liverpool's first team across all competitions, including two Premier League appearances as a substitute.
While his first-team opportunities were limited, Doak excelled in Liverpool's youth setup, featuring prominently in the Premier League 2 and UEFA Youth League competitions. He made 23 appearances in the Premier League 2, scoring four goals and providing several assists, showcasing his potential as a future first-team regular. The 2023-24 season saw Doak's role in the Liverpool squad expand, although injuries hampered his progress. He started the season by making a substitute appearance in the opening Premier League game against Chelsea, demonstrating Jürgen Klopp's faith in his abilities.
Doak's performances in training and youth matches earned him more opportunities in cup competitions. He featured in three of Liverpool's six Europa League group stage matches, starting all three games and gaining valuable European experience. In domestic cup competitions, Doak made one appearance in the EFL Cup. However, his season was cut short in December due to a cartilage injury, which ruled him out for the remainder of the campaign.
Despite this setback, Doak had made a total of 10 appearances across all competitions for Liverpool before his injury, including one Premier League appearance, three Europa League starts, and appearances in both the FA Cup and League Cup. His performances, particularly in Europe, showed his potential to become a key player for Liverpool in the future.
National team
Internationally, Doak has represented Scotland at various youth levels. He made his debut for the Scotland Under-17 team on September 2, 2021, scoring in a 1-1 draw against Wales. In September 2022, at just 16 years old, Doak was called up to the Scotland Under-21 squad, becoming the youngest player to score for the U21s when he found the net against Northern Ireland. His performances at youth level have put him on the radar for potential future senior team call-ups, with many seeing him as a future star for the Scottish national team.
Player’s style
Doak's style of play is characterized by his pace, directness, and fearlessness on the ball. As a natural right winger, he excels at taking on defenders and creating chances for his teammates. His low center of gravity and quick feet allow him to dribble past opponents with ease, often drawing comparisons to established wingers. Doak's intelligence on the ball is evident in his decision-making, knowing when to take on defenders and when to release the ball.
His speed and attacking instincts make him a constant threat on the counter-attack. While primarily a winger, Doak has shown versatility in his ability to play across the front line and potentially as an attacking wing-back. His work rate and willingness to track back defensively add to his value as a modern wide player. As he continues to develop physically and tactically, Doak's natural talent and mentality suggest he has the potential to become a key player for both Liverpool and Scotland in the future.