Move Over Doak: Liverpool Could Already Have Next Luis Diaz in “Sublime” 11-goal Youngster
Jurgen Klopp’s young players, once at the forefront of Liverpool’s Carabao Cup triumph that captivated English football last season, have since receded from the spotlight.
Anfield has been plagued by injuries, leading Klopp to announce his departure at the season’s end. Despite the challenges, Liverpool’s injury-ravaged first team managed to persevere, with several academy talents playing crucial roles.
This was epitomised by Gary Neville’s memorable comment after the remarkable Carabao Cup final win, where he stated that “Klopp’s kids beat Chelsea’s billion-pound bottle-jobs” with Virgil van Dijk delivering the decisive contribution, asserting his leadership over the younger players.
| Liverpool Academy Graduates: First Team Stats in 2023/24 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | Age | Apps | Goals | Assists |
| Harvey Elliott | 21 y/o | 53 | 4 | 11 |
| Trent Alexander-Arnold | 25 y/o | 37 | 3 | 9 |
| Curtis Jones | 23 y/o | 36 | 5 | 3 |
| Caoimhin Kelleher | 25 y/o | 26 | 0 | 0 |
| Conor Bradley | 20 y/o | 23 | 1 | 6 |
| Bobby Clark* | 19 y/o | 12 | 1 | 2 |
| James McConnell | 19 y/o | 9 | 0 | 1 |
| Ben Doak* | 18 y/o | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Jayden Danns | 18 y/o | 5 | 2 | 0 |
| Kaide Gordon* | 19 y/o | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Stefan Bajcetic* | 19 y/o | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Lewis Koumas* | 18 y/o | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Trey Nyoni | 17 y/o | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Stats Source: Transfermarkt | ||||
| Sold or left on a loan deal | ||||
As the year progresses, Arne Slot has taken the reins as Liverpool’s new manager, and the team’s group of young players has undergone some changes. Slot, known for his practical and businesslike approach, has overseen the departure of several younger talents over recent months.
Among those who have moved on, Liverpool have parted ways with the promising young duo Fabio Carvalho and Sepp van den Berg, both of whom have joined Brentford following successful loan stints last season. Additionally, Bobby Clark has made a £10 million switch to RB Salzburg, contributing to Liverpool’s total summer sales, which now exceed £60 million.
In other news, some fans might have been surprised to see Ben Doak sent out on loan to Middlesbrough in the Championship for the season, but there’s a sound rationale behind this decision.
The Reason Behind Ben Doak’s Loan Move
Liverpool brought Ben Doak on board from the Scottish football powerhouse Celtic in 2022, securing his transfer for a compensation fee of approximately £600,000. Doak arrived with the attributes of a future superstar.
Despite his smaller stature, Doak is known for his power and intensity. He began making his way into Jürgen Klopp’s plans last season, even earning starts in three Europa League group stage matches, where he impressed with an average of 2.7 successful dribbles and 4.7 duels won per game, according to Sofascore.
Doak’s potential is undeniable, a fact highlighted by Liverpool youth correspondent Keifer MacDonald, who labeled him a “prodigy.” His agent, Jackie McNamara, even likened him to the “Scottish Wayne Rooney” due to his remarkable speed, crowd-pleasing style, and innate strength, all despite his shorter height.
Unfortunately, Doak’s season with Klopp’s senior squad was cut short in December by a meniscus injury, preventing him from making any further appearances that term. With his development in mind, a temporary move was deemed necessary, allowing him to refine his skills and regain match fitness.
There’s an unspoken understanding at Liverpool that Doak could have filled the role of understudy to Mohamed Salah. However, the club’s £10 million acquisition of Federico Chiesa has reduced his chances of securing regular playing time this season, making a loan move the most logical option.
While Doak’s future at Liverpool remains promising, not every young prospect will secure a permanent place in the team’s ranks. Nonetheless, there are still a few rising stars, such as Kieran Morrison, who have yet to make their senior debut but show significant potential.
Kieran Morrison Could Become Liverpool’s Next Luis Díaz
Liverpool’s Scottish prospect may soon surpass Doak in talent, as his performance on the field continues to impress. Over 29 matches across various youth levels for the Reds, he has scored 11 goals and provided eight assists, showcasing his remarkable skills. Meanwhile, his 17-year-old counterpart is proving to be even more clinical in his gameplay.
Earlier this year, the Northern Ireland youth international secured his first professional contract with the club. His performances have not disappointed, as he continues to justify the club’s faith in him. His “sublime” displays on the pitch have even earned him praise from journalist Lewis Bower.
Last season, before being promoted from the U18s to the U21s, he still managed to accumulate an impressive 11 goals and four assists across 20 matches in the U18 Premier League.
The young winger has found significant success playing on the right flank, where he scored seven goals in just 11 matches. This level of performance indicates that he could become strong competition for Doak, potentially contending for a spot in Slot’s first team.
Despite not yet turning 18, he has already been called up to the U21s. He made an immediate impact by scoring a brace against Sunderland on Monday evening.
James Balagizi’s second goal in the resounding victory was largely due to impressive dribbling skills, drawing comparisons to Luis Diaz.
Across the opening weeks of the Premier League season, Diaz has been outstanding, particularly noted for scoring a brace against Manchester United. In the previous victory over Brentford, he contributed with both a goal and an assist.
Journalist Peter Hall described Diaz as a “livewire,” emphasising his exceptional ability as a ball carrier. According to Sofascore, Diaz averaged 2.3 dribbles per game over his first three matches of the season, solidifying his reputation as one of the best dribblers in the league.
Despite persistent links to a potential move away during the summer, particularly with Barcelona showing interest, no concrete offers materialised. Now, the 27-year-old is focused on having his most productive season yet, making a strong start.
Liverpool youth manager Marc Bridge-Wilkinson has hinted that Morrison might follow in Diaz’s footsteps, suggesting the potential for similar development. “Kieran is a good technician. He is good with the ball at his feet, he likes to carry the ball and he can go past people and he can finish. He’s not afraid to risk the ball at the right times and try to create something for the team.”
With both wingers, despite a ten-year age gap, beginning the 2024/25 season on such a high note, it’s possible that Morrison could earn his senior debut this year.
If he can make a strong impression, he could even overtake Doak, becoming the dynamic wide forward that Liverpool fans see as their next Diaz.
In other Liverpool news, “That Will Be His Way Into the Side” – Journalist Reveals How Federico Chiesa Could Fit into Liverpool’s Strategy
