Liverpool face big decision over exciting Middlesbrough star with Foden comparison made

The whole of Scotland are beginning to get excited over Ben Doak's potential after a series of impressive displays for both club and country - but the Middlesbrough loanee must deliver on his early promise.

Pat Nevin played 28 times for Scotland in a career which saw him star on the right wing for Chelsea, Everton and Tranmere Rovers, so knows a thing or two about the position. Now a regular co-commentator for BBC Radio 5Live, Nevin is pleased to see Doak develop under Michael Carrick's guidance at Boro after joining on loan from Liverpool in the summer.

Doak has taken his chances to impress, with the 19-year-old starting eight times in the Championship already this season as Carrick has shown his faith in the young talent. He has provided three assists in his last two appearances, including two in the 5-1 win over Luton Town, and Nevin feels that he can take inspiration from Phil Foden's development at Manchester City.

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The England forward was sometimes held back by Pep Guardiola in the formative stages of his career before being given the freedom to express himself on the pitch, but Nevin feels playing for Boro will allow Liverpool to judge his real potential.

"He's very young. He's one of the stupidly quick ones, right?" he told Tribal Football. "And if you've got that in your game, it's pretty extra special. It's a big question, however. You need to add more to it.

"So, you know, he's got some skills. He needs to learn how to get on the ball. He's learning that quickly. We're trying not to get too excited about it in Scotland, but the fact that we've not had that pace, we've not had that creativity as a winger for quite some time, we're getting quite excited about it but it's about taking it slow steps at a time.

"As for Liverpool, it's a big call, it's a really big call. You need to be a top international player to get a game for Liverpool and get a regular game.

"So I'll be honest with you, I'm happy he's playing with Boro because he's learning. He's getting games every week. Because when you're 18, 19, you've got to learn really quickly. And the best place to learn is in a real team, not just training. He learned a lot training with good players.

"I remember (Phil) Foden came through (at Manchester City) and that sort of stuff but I think another year or two at Boro then we'll find out if he's he's going to make it, but he's got a chance he's definitely a chance."