Sir Kenny Dalglish sends Ben Doak 'expectation' warning after Liverpool and Scotland rise

One Scottish Liverpool legend, Sir Kenny Dalglish, discussed another in the making, Ben Doak, and his progress

Sir Kenny Dalglish insists the hype around Ben Doak must be "controlled" after being impressed with the 17-year-old's progression since signing for Liverpool.

The Scottish youth talent signed for Liverpool in March 2022, arriving from Celtic's academy for around £600,000. Regarded as one of the finest in his age group, he has since been fast-tracked into Jurgen Klopp's first-team set-up in impressive time.

Despite not scoring for the Reds in three competitive appearances so far in 2023/24, his direct attacking performances have stood out. This isn't just the case at club level either, as his run-outs for Scotland's Under-21s team have prompted positive responses.

Discussing Doak's prospects, Liverpool legend Dalglish - a man who knows all too well what it takes to succeed in a Tartan Army or Reds attack - believes expectations need to be managed.

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"He’s only a baby, isn’t he?" the 72-year-old told the Scotsman. "He’s done really well in just a year-and-a-half. He’ll not be far away from it [Scotland].

"He was on the bench at Brighton [last weekend] and he came on in the Europa League. If he just handles it properly, he’s got a lot of things going for him. He’s got more going for him than going against him.

"The expectation has to be controlled. You cannot maybe control the expectation of the media, but it certainly needs controlled by him. He’s obviously impressed Jurgen and whoever else with the first team and also at the training facilities. He’s going well."

Dalglish then listed two smart factors that must be considered before Doak can be called up to Steve Clarke's Scottish senior team for next summer's European Championships in Germany.

"[There are] two things [about Doak going to Germany with Scotland]. Let’s get there first, and then Steve can assess what players he’s got," said Dalglish.

"If he continues in the same vein, keeps his feet on the ground, he won’t have a problem."

Doak turns 18 in November and was rewarded with an improved long-term contract last month. Liverpool's former No.7 is confident a first competitive goal at club level will arrive next, analysing his recent contributions in the cup.

"He came on in one of the games recently [in the League Cup against Leicester City] and missed one from about two yards - he put it over the bar," Dalglish continued. "But he’d done well in the other aspects. He was more disappointed that he’d missed it. That’s good. He’ll not miss it the next time then."