Ben Doak names the Liverpool message from Mo Salah keeping him humble as Anfield master proves vital for apprentice

Ben Doak says he’ll get stressed out if he starts to think about gate-crashing Scotland’s Euro 2024 squad.

And the Liverpool youngster trusts gaffer Steve Clarke to pick him when he thinks he’s ready. Without putting too much pressure on the 17-year-old, Doak looks like a generational talent. At Anfield, he’s now very much part of Jurgen Klopp’s first-team squad. Only one of the best players in the world, Mo Salah, is keeping him out of the team.

And for his country, he’s already ripping it up for Scot Gemmill’s Under-21 side. Doak ran Hungary ragged before winning and scoring a penalty in Friday night’s 3-1 Euro qualifying win at Fir Park. Even now, the teenager must be on the verge of a call-up by Clarke whose full squad could book their spot in Germany next summer if Norway don’t beat Spain in Oslo.

And if we’re at the Euro Finals, Doak will surely be there too. Right now, he’s living for the moment. You can see that in how he plays. But when - not if - Clarke gives him the nod, you get the impression it won’t faze him.

After discovering the Scotland manager was at Motherwell to watch him, Doak said: “I wasn’t aware of that until after the match. It’s really motivating. I’m happy that I played well and got my goal.

“But if I’d known he was coming before the game, it wouldn’t have mattered. I’d have gone out there and did the same thing, whether he was there or not.

“Am I thinking about the Euros squad next summer? Nah, not at all. If I start thinking that far ahead, it gets too stressful. I’d get too worked up, too frustrated. I can’t even think about next week!

“I’ve got Robbo (Andy Robertson) at the club club and he tells me a few things. Whether they’re true or not, that’s a different story! I’ll assume they’re