Ahead of Liverpool's final Premier League fixture before the World Cup break against Southampton, one name in particular stood out on the substitutes' bench.
Indeed, just three days after making his first-team debut against Derby County in the third round of the Carabao Cup, Ben Doak was back at Anfield under the instruction of Jurgen Klopp. Despite failing to feature against the Saints, this marked another impressive step being taken by the teenager.
Since signing from Celtic for £600,000 in the summer, Doak has enjoyed gradual progression from the under-18s side to the under-21s and saw his major progress rewarded in the form of a first professional contract on Monday. Recent reports have even suggested Nottingham Forest are taking an interest in the Scottish star, weighing up the possibility of a loan move.
READ MORE: Three dream transfers that would give Liverpool the perfect January window
READ MORE: Liverpool won't fall into old transfer trap as Jurgen Klopp keeps options open
The rapid rise of the talented winger may have taken some supporters by surprise, but this couldn't be further from the truth for Liverpool under-21s manager Barry Lewtas. "When we sign these players, there is a real understanding of what we are bringing in. We knew Ben's qualities and what he was capable of," he told the ECHO.
"We play a brand of football that really supports Ben as well. He has played a few games for us in the league, as well as the UEFA Youth League, and has done ever so well. There are parts of his game he has to get better at but he's such a young boy. He is where we probably thought he would be and there's plenty more to develop and come from him."
Asked if further opportunities within Klopp's side could be on the agenda for Doak between now and the end of the season, Lewtas added: "I don't pick the team so it's not for me to say. Ben has just got to focus on his job at the Academy. What tonight [Liverpool vs Derby] does show is that if you work and train hard, plenty of people are watching and then you let your performances do the talking.
"We want to try and get as many boys as we can in the first-team - that is the aim. It's not the easiest job, the first-team is pretty strong! Whenever an opportunity comes around, it is a special time. In terms of the manager, Pep [Lijnders], Vitor [Matos] and all the staff, they are unbelievably supportive of what we're trying to do. We always know the right times if the opportunity arises, they do trust in the young players.
"The boys go around there enough to train, so they get plenty of eyes on them. They obviously watch our games and the manager has been here himself this year, along with Vitor and Pep. They know the players, so that is down to them to decide. It is down to the boys and then the manager picks the team."
While there were first-team chances for the likes of Doak, Layton Stewart and Melkamu Frauendorf last Wednesday, not everyone was afforded this moment to cherish. Liverpool under-21s were in Premier League International Cup action on the same evening as the Reds' Carabao Cup win, defeating Dinamo Zagreb 2-0 thanks to goals from Lewis Koumas and Trent Kone-Doherty.
One individual who certainly made his mark at the Academy was captain on the night Luca Stephenson, who restricted Liverpool's Croatian opponents to mere scraps in front of goal in his centre-back role alongside Lee Jonas. Capable of operating both in defence and midfield, Lewtas admitted Stephenson's adaptability makes him a valuable asset.
"Versatility is important. These boys want to try and make a career in the game and being able to play in different positions is important," he explained.
"We know his best position is probably in the middle of the pitch, he is a midfielder and has done well for us there this season, but his versatility just gives him another string to his bow. We had that same situation with Tom Clayton, who is now doing really well at Swindon. It doesn't do you any harm. I felt the way he played centre-back was very good: he held the line, was good in possession and is another one who did what we wanted him to do."
Liverpool under-21s are now without a game until January 8, by which point Lewtas is hopeful key performers such as Isaac Mabaya and Oakley Cannonier may have recovered from their injury setbacks.
"He is fine," confirmed the Academy coach of Cannonier. "It's probably just a bit of a shame the World Cup comes for some players. Tonight [Liverpool U21s vs Dinamo Zagreb] was just a little bit too soon.
"We knew with the break we're about to have, we didn't want to take any risk with any of the players out injured like Isaac Mabaya, Harvey Blair, Oludare Olufunwa and Dominic Corness. Tonight was just a bit too early but they are all well on track. When it comes to January, touch wood, we should have everyone back."
READ NEXT
'The way football works today' - Graeme Souness sends Liverpool Jude Bellingham transfer warning
How players linked with Liverpool during the summer transfer window have performed
Liverpool have done 'major work' on Ruben Neves and Konrad Laimer before January transfer window
Andy Robertson is just about to break a Premier League record his Liverpool team-mate will own
Steve Ballmer 'stance' on Liverpool sale emerges from new reports in USA
