Liverpool set to land ‘fantastic kid’ who attracted interest from a ‘number of top clubs’

Liverpool look set to continue their tradition of signing talented youngsters by closing in on the signing of Celtic winger Ben Doak.

The 16-year-old is yet to sign a professional contract with the Scottish giants and The Athletic have reported that the Reds are set to bring the teenager to Anfield.

Celtic would be due a minor compensation fee if Doak does make the move, with manager Ange Postecoglou handing him 25 minutes of first-team action this season against Dundee United and Rangers earlier this year.

Postecoglou, who arrived at the club last summer, was full of praise for Doak after he made his debut.

He said: “He’s a fantastic kid who comes from a good family. He looked really composed for his age.

“He’ll have grown up a bit today, it will given him a different perspective on life. He probably would have been on the other side of the terracing if he hadn’t been playing.”

Europe’s elite

Doak is highly-rated at the club but it’s reported that the ‘draw of one of Europe’s elite’, with a ‘pedigree for developing and promoting young players under Jurgen Klopp’ will be a telling factor in tempting the winger to Anfield.

The Athletic state the prospect of working with Klopp was the key factor amid interest from a ‘number of top clubs’.

Doak looks set to join an impressive youth set-up at the club and add to the firepower available at the academy.

Liverpool’s U18s are second in the Premier League U18 Northern standings and the 16-year-old follows a familiar trend seen at the club due to the post-Brexit rules concerning players being purchased overseas under the age of 18.

Kaide Gordon, Bobby Clark and Calum Scanlon have all arrived and added to the academy teams, with Gordon netting his first senior goal in the FA Cup in January.