'PHENOMENAL' Liverpool prodigy set for greatness after 'SPECIAL' coming-of-age performance

Last night saw a coming-of-age performance from Liverpool’s Ben Doak, on loan at Middlesbrough this season, during Scotland’s UEFA Nations League game victory Croatia.

Doak, 19, was the star of the show at Hampden Park, earning the player of the match award as well as widespread praise from fans of Liverpool, Boro and Scotland on social media.

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Up against Josko Gvardiol, at £77million the most expensive defender of all time, the young winger was a constant threat down the right flank.

Time and again he was content to receive the ball and run directly at Gvardiol. In one timeless first-half moment, he spun the ball through the Manchester City man’s legs before scampering down the right side to make a chance.

Ben Doak earns Scotland breakthrough

Inevitably, it was Doak who made the breakthrough which led to Scotland’s goal. John McGinn was the beneficiary after Doak got in yet again down the right with his cross not dealt with by the Croatia goalkeeper.

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McGinn slotted home to give the Tartan Army the late lead, earning them an outside shot at qualification for the Nations League quarter-finals. Doak was subbed off to a standing ovation, with social media users in awe at what they witnessed from the Liverpool teen.

Ben Doak 'a special footballer'

Here we’ve rounded up some of the best reactions to Doak’s performance.

“First time I've had a Scottish player make me sit on the edge of my seat, and I'm 34 years old. Never seen a player so unbothered by who he is up against, just running direct at the most expensive defender in the world, time and time again," said one.

“The thought of watching Ben Doak running at full backs for the next 15 years is phenomenal,” said another.

“We simply don’t win this game without Ben Doak," was the verdict of one Scotland account.

“Just Ben Doak spinning the best LB in the world like he’s nothing tonight,” said one Liverpool supporter.

“We might not see another talent like Ben Doak, in a Boro shirt for a long time, so enjoy him every time he's on the pitch, special footballer,” summed up the responses of Middlesbrough fans watching.

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