Coach thinks Liverpool have an ‘interesting’ wonderkid just like Arjen Robben

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Ben Doak possesses a skillset reminiscent of Bayern Munich legend Arjen Robben with the Liverpool youngster ready to make his mark for the Premier League giants. 

At least, that is the view of Pep Lijnders, Jurgen Klopp’s long-term Liverpool assistant speaking to the media ahead of Wednesday night’s Carabao Cup third round clash against Leicester City at Anfield. 

Scotland U21 international Ben Doak made his first start of the season against LASK Linz in the Europa League last week, and another could be on the way with Klopp expected to shuffle his pack when Enzo Maresca’s in-form Foxes come to town. 

Skilful, silky and almost Salah-like with his ability to cut inside and shoot from the left-hand side, Lijnders sees similarities between 17-year-old Doak and two of his fellow Dutchmen. 

Ben Doak could start for Liverpool vs Leicester City

“He’s young. A lot of things can happen,” Lijnders tells the Liverpool Echo. “But I had the privilege of growing up in Holland. We had the culture of (Johan) Cruyff. This idea of wingers on the outside can disorganise opposition.  

“(Marc) Overmars, Robben, this type of player.”

Doak joined Liverpool from Celtic for around £600,000 back in 2022. A regular in Klopp’s senior squad these days, despite being two months out from his 18^th birthday, Lijnders believes the vast experience in the Anfield ranks can only benefit a player who, for all his talent and his potential, still has a lot to learn about life at the top level. 

‘An interesting player’

“(The) good thing with Ben is he comes into a squad with so much senior authority,” Lijnders adds. “He won’t make a side step. The boys already tell him, like (Andy) Robertson. 

“He is an interesting player. (But Doak) needs to mature and listen to Robbo, Mo Salah, all these guys.”

Doak has played 13 minutes of Premier League football this term, replacing Salah in what felt like a potential ‘passing of the baton’ sort of moment during the 2-2 draw with Chelsea on the opening weekend.