Ben Doak: How former Everton man has UNLOCKED Liverpool prodigy's potential

Liverpool know they have a special talent in teenage winger Ben Doak.

This season, Doak has been in dazzling form on loan at Middlesbrough, and is one of the most dynamic players in the Championship - featuring in the top 10 per cent of players when it comes to expected assists, an excellent barometer of a player's creativity.

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The 19-year-old has also weighed in with three assists and a goal as well in his 10 matches played and is now making a huge impact on the international stage too.

Fresh from a breakout performance against Croatia where he nutmegged Manchester City's Josko Gvardiol and played a pivotal role in Scotland's winning goal, Doak delivered an assist just two minutes in against Poland as Scotland secured a 2-1 win courtesy of a last-gasp winner from Andy Robertson – the skipper's first international goal since Steve Clarke's first game in charge against Cyprus back in 2019.

Once again though, it was Doak who generated the bulk of conversation on social media. During his 65 minutes on the field he was the primary conduit for Scotland's attacking play, and produced some excellent flashes of skill including some flicks and stepovers that Coutinho would be proud of.

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Robertson and Doak star for Scotland - with starlet inspired by unlikely source

Doak's rise to prominence with Scotland has aligned with that of a former Scottish winger of repute being appointed to Steve Clarke's coaching staff.

Alan Irvine, the former Everton assistant manager who also played out wide at Goodison Park in the early 1980s, was appointed to provide some cutting edge to an attack which was ludicrously blunt during Euro 2024.

Irvine was part of the Toffees side which faced Liverpool in the 1984 League Cup Final and subsequent replay - eventually succumbing to a 1-0 defeat against a Reds side, captained by Graeme Souness who thumped the winning goal past Neville Southall.

Now though, in a somewhat ironic twist, Irvine is helping one of Liverpool's brightest talents excel on the international stage.

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How Irvine is helping Doak excel for Scotland

Doak has been given the freedom to flourish in a new 4-2-3-1 system Scotland are playing, which is allowing him to spearhead the bulk of the attacking moves.

That formation is the brainchild of the new coaching staff, which features Irvine as a very prominent figure.

No doubt Doak has a lot to thank the Everton man for, as it now looks like he's nailed down the Scotland jersey as his own for the foreseeable future.

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