Liverpool youngster Ben Doak has been ruled out of Scotland’s squad for Euro 2024 through injury, in a big setback for the teenager.
The 18-year-old winger has emerged as one of the most exciting young players at Anfield in years, possessing raw pace and unpredictability out wide.
Doak has racked up 10 appearances for Liverpool to date, making five apiece in 2022/23 and 2023/24, but that tally would likely be far higher were it not for injury problems.
The Scot hasn’t featured for the Reds at all in 2024 to date, with his last outing coming away to Union SG in the Europa League last December.
Despite this, Doak was still called up to Scotland’s squad for Euro 2024, despite not yet making his debut, showing that his country have high hopes for him.
While the Liverpool starlet has been trying to prove his fitness alongside his international colleagues since the domestic season ended, it has now been confirmed by BBC Sport that he has been ruled out of the tournament.
Doak has been replaced in Steve Clarke’s squad by Bristol City forward Tommy Conway, joining up with Reds hero Andy Robertson, who will captain his country in Germany this summer.
Our thoughts on Doak’s injury setback…
This is an undoubted blow for Doak, who will have been dreaming of making his debut for Scotland and emerging as one of the most eye-catching young players at the Euros.
The key now is for the winger to focus on getting fully fit before Liverpool’s pre-season begins next month, as he aims to show new manager Arne Slot that he is a great attacking option to have.
Doak has something special about him, with his low centre of gravity and lightning pace making him a horrible player to defend against, and if he can make his end product more consistent, he could mature into a genuine star at Anfield.
Predicting the career trajectory of any young footballer is hard, with injuries having the potential to completely derail them – Rhian Brewster and Kaide Gordon have been good recent examples of that at Liverpool – but Doak has what it takes to make the grade on Merseyside.
