Pep Lijnders shares secret Klopp insight about two Liverpool prospects, as assistant points to another’s perfect combination

Pep Lijnders has explained why Liverpool prospect Ben Doak has so much potential, which he has outlined to Jurgen Klopp after the manager noticed the maturity of two other players of a similar status.

Liverpool have a few youngsters coming through the ranks who will be keen to take any chances they get with the first team. They are in Carabao Cup action on Thursday, which could sometimes be a chance for them to rotate into the lineup. However, the fact that they are up against Manchester City might make things different to normal.

Still, there is plenty of time ahead for some of their younger options to fulfil their potential in the senior side.

In the previous round of the Carabao Cup, Liverpool gave a senior debut to Ben Doak after his arrival from Celtic over the summer. Having since turned 17, some excitement is growing about what the wide player could go on to achieve.

Asked about Doak at a press conference ahead of the last-16 clash with Man City, Liverpool assistant manager Lijnders revealed how the former Celtic product has made an impression on him – just as two other youngsters have with Klopp.

Lijnders said: “Yesterday I walked off the pitch, we trained. I walked off the pitch with Jurgen and he doesn’t whisper, he just says next to me, ‘Wow. Stefan [Bajcetic] and Bobby Clark. They play so mature. They play [as] if they have 25 like this.’

“And I say immediately yeah, and Ben Doak. Can you imagine he was a signing? If he would do this what he’s doing in this session because you will see he’s very quick but if you are very quick and technical that makes a really dangerous player.

“And he learns as well, really quick. That’s really nice to see because sometimes you can be really quick, really good with your feet, but if you don’t learn – team, what I just said, you need good players but the collective in the end makes you successful.

Lijnders praises man who brought Ben Doak to Liverpool

“But he adapts really quickly to our style and we are just really happy with three young signings. And then I have to make a compliment to Matt Newbury because he is our academy scout and he brings these players in.

“Nobody hears about them before and it’s not announced as a big signing like everybody, but the boys he brings in are…

“It’s not easy because the boy leaves Celtic, goes to a different part, Liverpool, or Stefan goes from Celta de Vigo to here. They leave their country, they leave their family, they come really young in our academy. So for the next ones who come hopefully that helps as well that we want to give these boys chances.

“Ben is just, I like that combination of speed, mentality and technique – and he has all three.”

Doak has scored four goals in six games in the UEFA Youth League for Liverpool’s under-19s this season. He has also scored twice each at under-18 and under-21 level.

READ MORE: Liverpool assistant Lijnders diverts transfer question to Klopp after outlining three factors that must align for January signings