Ben Doak is exciting the Liverpool fans, but he still has a lot to learn if he is going to fulfil his undoubted potential for both club and country.
That is the opinion of Anfield legend Gary Gillespie, who has been hugely impressed by his fellow Scot since he made the move to Merseyside from Celtic almost two years ago now.
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Gillespie says the challenge now for the 18-year-old is to prove he can hack it as a first-team regular at one of the world’s elite clubs, and deliver on the promise he has shown in his fledgling career to date.
“He’s an exciting player,” Gillespie said.
“He’s one of these old-fashioned wingers who will take people on and go at them, and I don’t think there are many wide players like that at this moment in time.
“That is the thing I think he has in his locker, but unfortunately for him, he has picked up a few injuries, which is only natural for a young player who is developing and growing.
“From what I have seen so far, he is very exciting, but it is whether he can turn that potential into becoming a player who can be a regular in the Liverpool first team.
“I think if you ask most of the Liverpool fans, they would say they like what they have seen of him so far.
“We need more young Scots like Ben breaking through and having a real go at it in the Premier League. It is probably to the detriment of the Scottish league, but it’s great for the individual and in the long-term, for the national team too.
“I think Ben has done exceptionally well, but he still has a long way to go. He’s come in and had these cameo appearances, but he’s got to progress from there.
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“We have seen so many players that have had so much potential and never really fulfilled it, so he still has a lot to learn, and I hope that he can do that, because there is obviously talent there.”
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