I watched Liverpool's Ben Doak in action - he was the best player on the pitch

Liverpool youngster Ben Doak is making quite the impression on his loan spell away from the Reds. After joining Championship side Middlesbrough on a season-long loan in the summer, the academy talent is continuing his remarkable ascent.

The Scottish media is raving about the young winger after impressing for Steve Clarke's side over the course of the international break. The 19-year-old made his international debut back in September against Poland and has been a regular since then.

Doak picked up his fifth and sixth international cap in Scotland's 1-0 win over Croatia and 2-1 win against Poland during the most recent break. The results mean Scotland will now compete in a relegation play-off to avoid demotion to the B-League.

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Doak setup the opening goal of the goal for the Scots against Poland, with Tartan Army boss Clarke heaping praise on the winger. “It was another assist from Ben, which is good,” said Clarke after the win over Poland. “But I think he tired quite quickly in the second half, and I should maybe have taken him off a little bit earlier.

“He’s a threat. He’s very direct, he gets at defenders and, having been a full-back myself, I know that if you’ve got a winger like that who gets at you, he makes it difficult for the defenders and he brings us something a little bit different.”

It's positive feedback for Liverpool regarding Doak's development, but it's also not surprising. The Scottish winger is enjoying a purple patch at the moment, and a game against Sheffield United kick started that run of form.

I was in attendance at the Riverside as Michael Carrick's Boro defeated Sheffield United 1-0 last month and Doak was the best player on the pitch. His ability to take the ball under pressure and the ease in which he beat his man was a joy to watch.

His natural speed and technical ability made him a thorn in Sheffield United's side all afternoon. Though not yet deemed to be at the level of Liverpool's first-team, his current run of form suggests it's only a matter of time before we see him involved to a greater extent.

The youngster has three assists and one goal in ten appearances for Boro so far this season and is emerging as a key player for Carrick as they look to win promotion to the Premier League. The Teessiders have a knack for developing young talents, with Morgan Rogers - now of Aston Villa, a clear example.

So far, Liverpool are reaping the rewards of Doak's loan spell and with Mohammed Salah yet to sign new terms, the young winger could be a brilliant in house transfer alternative should the Egyptian talisman leave the club this summer.