Has Ben Doak played his way into first-team contention?
Liverpool go to Singapore on Thursday for the second leg of their pre-season tour. It was a good week in Germany with two goal fests. I’ll be interested to see now who gets their chance after Jurgen Klopp used 25 players in their last two games. Obviously you’d expect some of those players to now drop out, but I think some younger players have really stood out, and none more so than Ben Doak.
Doak, a young winger, featured in both games and made a real impression. He’s still only 17 years old but he gets people off their seat and already looks trusted by the senior players, who were willing to give him the ball and let him do his thing – they’re not treating him like someone who needs their hand holding or needs looking after. He’s established himself quickly and it was interesting to see players like Trent Alexander-Arnold and Alexis Mac Allister getting on the ball and looking for Doak.
I think he’ll go to Singapore, and we might see Bobby Clark, a young midfielder, going as well. Young right-back Conor Bradley could be another to go, and generally I think those young players, and Doak in particular, have really enhanced their reputation in the last ten days over in Germany. It may be that loans now beckon for some of those players, but I wouldn’t be surprised if Doak has now played his way into contention to be on the bench this season, playing in the Europa League and some cup games.
All bets are off thanks to the Saudi Pro League
Has there ever been a summer where we’ve seen so many previously untouchable players become realistic movers? Lionel Messi’s moved to Inter Miami, and Cristiano Ronaldo’s move to Saudi Arabia earlier in the year has had such an impact as we’re now seeing Fabinho and Henderson heading there, Riyad Mahrez and perhaps even Kylian Mbappe. Elsewhere there’s also Harry Kane being pursued by Bayern Munich, Bernardo Silva by PSG – it just feels like there’s no such thing as an untouchable player anymore.
The Saudi project and their approach to the transfer market is going to continue having huge repercussions, and of course don’t forget the increased money in the Premier League these days as well. It’s made the transfer market fascinating, and when in the past you’d look at players like Messi, Mbappe and Kane and say they’re simply not for sale, all of a sudden anything is on the table. So many players are up for grabs now and it’s going to make the next few weeks really interesting to watch.
Tchouameni doesn’t want to join, move on, this story is getting boring. Lavia is a good lad, but not worth £50m. See of we can be clever, give around £35m up front, offer a good young lad of ours and a 20% sell on fee.
This way, Southampton get a wage bill off their books, good money to reinvest, and a good young lad so they’re not a player down.
Liverpool get their man, develops a young player at a club that clearly knows how to develop young players, and we fill in an area we are weak in.
Overall, both clubs get immediate benefits, as well as long term benefits. More importantly, the player is at a level he needs to push his skill level up.
Keep going on about players never gonna get. Lavia would be quality alongside the Mac. Fabinho s legs have gone time to move on. Back line deffo needs bit of work. Plus Arnold like having new midfielder.