Liverpool wonderkid leaves Man City star 'for dead' with incredible skill in international game

Liverpool star Ben Doak left Manchester City defender Josko Gvardiol for dead with a sensational piece of skill in a Player of the Match performance for Scotland against Croatia in the Nations League on Friday night.

Steve Clarke's side picked up a narrow 1-0 victory at Hampden Park courtesy of a late goal from Aston Villa's John McGinn, but it was Liverpool's teenage sensation who made the headlines. It was only the 19-year-old's fifth cap for Scotland, but he didn't look out of place as he showcased his talent throughout the 89 minutes he spent on the pitch.

In the first half, just before the 20-minute mark, Doak was picked out on the right flank by striker Tommy Conway. With a fantastic piece of skill, he was able to turn City and Croatia defender, Gvardiol, and run into space before laying it off to Scott McTominay on the edge of the box.

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The midfielder's eventual effort was saved by Croatia goalkeeper Dominik Kotarski, but that wasn't Doak's only significant involvement in a lively game in Glasgow. Croatia were down to 10 men for the entirety of the second half after Petar Sucic was given his marching orders for a second yellow card before the break.

In the build-up to McGinn's winner, Doak once again got the better of Gvardiol down the right as he then attempted to beat the goalkeeper from a tight angle. The winger's effort was parried back out into the box and McGinn was there to drill an effort into the back of the net to put Scotland level with Poland on four points in their Nations League group.

Doak, who joined Liverpool's academy from Scottish side Celtic in the summer of 2022, is currently on loan with Championship side Middlesbrough. The 19-year-old already has 10 senior appearances for the Reds under his belt, but after a knee injury ended his 2023/24 season prematurely last December, the club opted his development was best served elsewhere.

The youngster has already established himself as a key figure for Michael Carrick's side as Middlesbrough sit seventh in the Championship standings after 15 games. Doak has three assists and one goal to his name in 10 appearances for the North East club so far.

Speaking after the game, Doak said: “Gvardiol’s one of the best in the world, isn’t he? So it’s good to test yourself against players of that calibre. We both had our moments when we got the better of each other, but I’ve loved both games against him.

“When I went past him early in the first half I didn’t realise it had gone through his legs, I just flicked it and hoped it’d come out the other side, which it did. We were unfortunate not to score from that one, but it was another moment I enjoyed.

“I don’t see faces on the park, I just see a kit and a blank face. I don’t take notice of reputations. I just believe that if I’m good enough to be on the pitch then I should be up to whoever I’m against.

“At the goal it looked like I shot, but I didn’t actually mean to – I just tried to smash it across the six-yard box and cause a bit of carnage. As it went, that’s what happened. We got that wee bit of luck and it fell to John to put it away.”