Liverpool U21 player-coach Jay Spearing says Ben Doak is the real deal.

Spearing, who is primarily U18 coach, has admitted he's not surprised by Doak's swift rise since joining Liverpool from Celtic last summer.

He told liverpoolfc.com: “At the end of the day, our main job is to develop players so they can eventually challenge for a place in the first team. So, we are going in the right direction with the likes of Stefan Bajcetic and Ben Doak doing so well up there.

“Ben was in our team at the start of the season and he was absolutely flying. He has made rapid progress and he is a great kid. We want to get players moving up the ladder and Ben has done that, playing for the U21s and then getting his first-team opportunity.

“Ben has got his head down, he works so hard, and he has got a great mentality. That drive and desire the boy has, it's no surprise to us he has done so well. Fingers crossed, he can keep it going and keep getting better because the lad has a lot of ability."