The omission of a former Liverpool captain from his nation’s Euro 2024 squad came as a surprise, but not so much because of the standard of his recent performances.
Gareth Southgate was expected to pick one of his most trusted lieutenants despite – rather than because of – the impact, or lack thereof, he has made since joining Ajax in the January transfer window.
Jordan Henderson‘s absence, as well as that of Marcus Rashford, certainly raised eyebrows then.
The England boss has often been accused of choosing players he knows and trusts above those in form, but the inclusions of Adam Wharton, Kobbie Mainoo, Anthony Gordon and Ebere Eze over Henderson and Rashford at least means we can avoid the usual tedious discussion the usually accompanies the announcement of a pre-tournament squad.
Though if Henderson is a man of Liverpool’s past – the man who captained the Reds to their one and only Premier League title – then Ben Doak is the future. While Southgate pulls the curtain down on Henderson’s international career, Doak’s is only just beginning.
Liverpool’s Ben Doak chosen in Scotland squad
In a move somewhat reminiscent of Sven Goren Eriksson picking Theo Walcott for the 2006 World Cup only a few months after he swapped Southampton for Arsenal, 18-year-old Doak has been chosen as part of Scotland’s preliminary roster despite never having played a single game for the senior team.
Walcott did not play a single minute as England were knocked out by Portugal in the quarter-finals 18 years ago. Will the same fate befall Doak in Germany?
Danny Murphy, who knows a thing or two about the former Celtic whizzkid given his connections to the Anfield outfit, wonders if Doak could end up becoming a bit of a joker in Steve Clarke’s Scotland pack.
“He is a super quick, explosive winger,” Murphy, an FA Cup, League Cup and UEFA Cup winner with Liverpool in 2001, tells talkSPORT (22 May, 11am).
“I don’t know where he is at fitness-wise but he gives you something so different because of his pace. He’s got amazing, explosive pace which could cause teams problems off the bench.
“He could get in (the final squad). I’m surprised, but it could be a nice surprise.”
Doak, signed by Liverpool from the Scottish Premiership champions in 2022, has already made 10 first-team appearances for Liverpool, his ability to cut inside from the right seeing some suggest he could form part of the Mo Salah succession plan.
His inclusion in the Scotland squad certainly comes as a shock, however, and not just because he is yet to make his senior debut.
Steve Clarke announces preliminary Euro 2024 squad
Doak was unavailable for the final six months of the recent Premier League campaign due to a meniscus tear, his most recent appearance coming in December.
If he does get Clarke’s nod, however, Doak will benefit from the presence of the highly-experienced Andy Robertson alongside him in the final Scotland squad.
“He’s young. A lot of things can happen,” Pep Lijnders, Jurgen Klopp’s long-time assistant coach, told 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, (Arjen) Robben, this type of player. (The) good thing with Ben is he comes into a squad with so much senior authority. 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.”
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