Liverpool have had a number of injury concerns plaguing their Premier League season so far, although a promising update has emerged regarding the imminent return of two players.
According to the Liverpool Echo’s chief reporter Ian Doyle on Wednesday, Diogo Jota and Ben Doak are nearing a return to action ahead of the Merseyside derby against Everton next Monday night.
Doyle tweeted: “Diogo Jota trained with #LFC again today as planned as he nears a return to action. Ben Doak, who has been absent from the last three games with a minor muscle problem, is expected to be back in training by the end of the week.”
Klopp can finally unleash Doak
There is no doubt that Jurgen Klopp will be frustrated with his squad at Anfield, at the moment with the Reds knocked out of the FA Cup and Carabao Cup and heading into a difficult round-of-16 Champions League clash against Real Madrid later this month in terrible form.
Liverpool are currently tenth in the Premier League table – 11 points adrift of the top four – and are yet to win a game in the top flight in 2023, with three defeats and a draw from their last four outings, which leaves little confidence in the team’s chances against the current European champions.
However, the imminent return of key players from injury will give the Anfield faithful renewed hope, with experienced talents like Virgil van Dijk and Jota returning to team training this week, whilst Doak and Arthur Melo are also expected to be available and fit to compete for a starting berth in forthcoming fixtures.
Klopp’s search for solutions to fix his team’s dismal form could be found once again in a young and energetic presence on the pitch, and the “special talent” that is Doak – as dubbed by BT Sport – could follow in the footsteps of fellow academy graduate Stefan Bajcetic by making an instant positive impact should he get the golden opportunity to prove himself to the manager in the near future.
The 17-year-old Scotsman captured the attention of Liverpool supporters and his German coach with his impressive 16-minute cameo against Derby County in the Carabao Cup this season – completing three dribbles, delivering one key pass, winning five duels and taking one shot on goal during his brief but influential display.
Doak, who is “so exciting to watch” – as per Caoimhe O’Neill – joined the Reds from Celtic last year and has quickly established himself as one of the standout performers in the club’s youth setup, earning himself a professional contract in November just a few months after his arrival on Merseyside.
Across 17 appearances for Liverpool at youth level, the teenage sensation has scored eight goals and supplied six assists, averaging a goal contribution every 89 minutes, which has rightfully earned him five appearances in the first-team.
The future is looking bright for Doak, and his return to action will surely be something that Klopp will keep an eye on as the manager attempts to bring Liverpool back to life over the remainder of the season.
Source: footballfancast.com
