Liverpool’s Ben Doak Standing Out on the International Stage | OneFootball

Ben Doak’s Rapid Rise: A Testament to Liverpool’s Academy Brilliance

Ben Doak’s evolution from a promising youth to an emerging talent on the international stage is a story that epitomises Liverpool’s academy’s ability to cultivate world-class players. His recent performances for Scotland and Middlesbrough have only reinforced his potential, and to those who’ve trained alongside him, this progress is far from surprising.

Insights from a Former Teammate

Niall Osborne, a former Liverpool youth player, reflects on Doak’s journey with a clear sense of admiration. “You could tell that he would always go on and do what he’s doing in the Championship,” Osborne shared with Liverpool.com. “He’s very good, and it’s difficult to come up against him in training. You always knew that he had it in him to do what he’s doing. That’s what he did for us at U18 level, in training and in games as well.”

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Doak’s stellar showing against Croatia during the international break, where he gave Josko Gvardiol a torrid evening, is just the latest chapter in his rise. His dynamism, confidence, and skill underline why Liverpool’s academy continues to be regarded as one of Europe’s finest.

A Generation of Rising Stars

Doak is not the only product of this exciting generation. Osborne fondly recalls playing alongside several young talents who are making waves at Liverpool and beyond. “There’s quite a few I played with,” Osborne noted. “James McConnell, who is obviously still there, Isaac Mabaya, Terence Miles, Tommy Pilling, Bobby Clark, Ben Doak… I was part of their age group, so those are the players I was playing with for the past couple of years.”

Photo: IMAGO

One name that stands out is Stefan Bajcetic, who has already made significant strides into Liverpool’s first team. Osborne describes his former teammate’s success as inspirational. “I trained with Stefan Bajcetic, and obviously, he made the jump quite early on to the 21s and the first team. You could tell that he had the level,” Osborne said.

For young talents like Jarell Quansah, who Osborne describes as “a couple of years older,” the pathway from the academy to professional football is clearly defined, serving as motivation for those coming through the ranks.

Life After Liverpool

While Doak and his contemporaries continue to shine, Osborne’s journey took a different path. After 14 years at Liverpool, Osborne departed in the summer to join 1874 Northwich in the ninth tier of English football. Despite the move, his love for the club remains evident. “It was a privilege,” Osborne said of his time at Liverpool. “I was there from the age of four or five and left at 19, so 14 years — it becomes the main part of your life and your life is moulded around Liverpool. It was a good time to look back on with fondness.”

His transition from Liverpool to non-league football has been both challenging and rewarding. Reflecting on his early days at Liverpool, Osborne explained how he joined the academy after attending a football camp promoted through his school. “There was leaflets going around in school for a football camp one summer, and it was something you could go along to — a training session at the Liverpool academy. I went along and was asked back after that, and officially signed at the age of nine.”

Charting a New Course

Now balancing his football career with a job at an estate agency in Manchester, Osborne is focused on making the most of his opportunities at Northwich. “It’s been a really good start to the season. We had a really good FA Cup run and equalled the record for how far the club has been in that competition,” Osborne said, adding that Northwich remain unbeaten in five games as they aim to push for promotion.

The experience of competitive football outside Liverpool’s youth setup has provided Osborne with valuable lessons. “It’s different, but it’s something I’ve been able to easily adapt to,” he explained. “I had a loan spell at the back end of last season in a similar league, so I knew what to expect. But I’ve adapted well, and the teammates I’ve had have helped me along with it.”

Looking Ahead

Osborne’s ambition remains clear — to return to professional football. “I want to play full-time football if that’s possible, and if not, then I want to play at the highest level I can,” he said. With Northwich providing regular minutes, the 19-year-old believes he’s on the right track. “For myself at the moment, it’s playing as many minutes as I can — I’m still 19, and I’ve still got a lot of developing to do.”

His long-term aspirations include either climbing the leagues with Northwich or seizing opportunities elsewhere. “If there are opportunities to move up the leagues with Northwich or elsewhere, that’s exactly what I want to do,” Osborne said.

As for Ben Doak, his progress remains a beacon of hope for Liverpool’s academy. His performances for club and country not only underline his talent but also the work being done behind the scenes at Kirkby. For Liverpool fans, Doak is a player worth keeping an eye on — a symbol of the club’s thriving youth system.