It was in the EFL Trophy when Ben Doak took his next steps with Liverpool back in October. Come the final whistle, it was very much clear it would not be the last. Under-21s were already eliminated heading into their final group game at the Wham Stadium, with a 2-0 deficit being extended to three within two minutes of being brought on in the 68th minute. Yet the then 16-year-old would still make it a night to remember as he made it 3-2 in stoppage after Calvin Ramsay had scored moments earlier. A first start for Barry Lewtas’ side followed days later, as Doak scored the winner in a 2-1 victory over Everton Under-21s.
Meanwhile, if you combine his appearances in Premier League 2, EFL Trophy, UEFA Youth League and U18 Premier League, he returned 11 goals and eight assists from 27 outings at academy level.
It is why it would be a surprise to see Doak back in EFL Trophy action on Tuesday night as Liverpool Under-21s travel to Morecambe.