Man City £77m man will be glad to see back of Liverpool talent who has whole country talking

Ben Doak has all of Scotland talking at the moment. The Liverpool winger's player-of-the-match display in Scotland’s defeat of Croatia left Manchester City’s £77m defender Josko Gvardiol in his wake.

Having also impressed with his performances on loan at Middlesbrough this season, the 19-year-old is certainly giving Arne Slot something to think about. After giving Gvardiol a torrid time all evening on Friday, it was Doak’s directness against the left-back which led to John McGinn’s late winner at Hampden Park.

Speaking after the victory, which kept Scotland’s slim hopes of a Nations League play-off spot alive, the young forward’s team-mates were full of praise. Right-back Anthony Ralston, who played with Doak at Celtic before his move to Liverpool, benefitted from his quality on the right side.

READ MORE: Liverpool learn what 'won't be enough' to sign Omar Marmoush amid transfer speculation

READ MORE: Cristiano Ronaldo and Mohamed Salah 'talks' claim made as Liverpool face anxious contract wait

Speaking to the Daily Record, Ralston said: “I obviously know him from my time at Celtic, he came in as a young lad, he's still as young.

“I trained with him, and he obviously had that flair. He's rapid, you can see that for yourself. He definitely is humble, that's the main thing, mentally keeping that, and also doing the work in training, playing and taking opportunities like he's done.

“I'm delighted for him. You can see how excited everyone is about him, and that's it, it gives us that extra outlet on things, attacking wise. He can go direct, he can go one v one, and he did both on Friday night.

“We know his qualities. Fair play to him, he’s come into the team and been a lease of life down the right. He’s helped me, he makes me look good!”

Another member of the squad familiar with Doak is Middlesbrough’s Tommy Conway, who has seen the teenager’s development first-hand at the Riverside this season.

Similarly to Ralston, Conway had praise for Doak's mentality, but he also noted that Doak is well aware of his ability.

“We do enjoy playing together,” Conway said. “We have a little joke about it, we call ourselves the Boro Boys.

“He's a humble, down-to-earth boy. But there's times where he knows he's a good player. You need that, don't you?

“I wasn't going to say it's a bad thing. I think it's important to have that as a footballer. He's got that in abundance, but it's not like it comes across in a bad way.

“He makes you like him more and when he backs it up on the pitch, it's like fair play. He knows his ability and he's backing it up on the pitch. And for someone at such a young age, I think it speaks volumes for his character.”