Premier League giants Liverpool are reportedly embroiled in a transfer tussle for talented 16-year-old Celtic prodigy Ben Doak.
According to Daily Record, Liverpool are involved in the race to sign talented Celtic youngster Ben Doak. The 16-year-old has been at the Hoops all his footballing life and is one of the best young prodigies in their youth system. A prominent player for the Scottish club’s Under-18 side, his performances have not gone unnoticed at Anfield.
The Merseyside giants have signed some talented players in recent years and appear willing to give them a chance in the senior side. Harvey Elliott and Kaide Gordon, among others have shown that Jurgen Klopp is not afraid to roll the dice with his talented young players when needed, with the latest example coming in Liverpool’s Carabao Cup win over Arsenal earlier this week.
Doak is one of the best young defenders in Europe and can be a major player in the years to come. The 16-year-old has also performed well for Scotland’s youth teams at the international level. He won the Player of the Tournament award at the 2005s Actavo Cup with Celtic.
Despite his potential, Doak is yet to pen a professional contract with Celtic. This gives Liverpool a chance to poach him, given that they will only have to pay the Scottish giants a training compensation. It is an approach the Reds used to great effect to land Harvey Elliott from Fulham in 2019. While the deal is far from a free hit, it is a token amount to pay for one of the best young talents available.
The Scottish giants, for their part, are keen to keep hold of the 16-year-old and are doing their best to convince him to stay put. More so, Liverpool will also need to see off competition from Newcastle United, Brighton & Hove Albion, and Crystal Palace, who are all in the fray for his signature.
Klopp’s squad is ageing, and the Reds must add an infusion of youth into their lineup. Liverpool have one of the best defences in Europe and are, on their day, impregnable. Breaking into the first team will be no mean task, and it is too much to ask from the Scottish prodigy right now.
While a move to Kirkby will prove to be a challenge, Doak also has the opportunity to learn from some of the best defenders in the game and take his game to new heights. Liverpool have a fine record of having some of Scotland’s best talents represent them throughout their illustrious history, and it remains to be seen if Doak will join the list.
But with Newcastle United and Crystal Palace hot on his trail, Doak will have a big choice to make, as Palace, in particular, could give him a clearer and quicker pathway to securing a regular berth in the first-team squad.
