Liverpool's hectic summer window continues with young Scotland international Ben Doak completing a transfer to Bournemouth, though the 19-year-old now wants to be referred to by a different name
Ben Gannon Doak of Bournemouth during a training session
Ben Doak has left Liverpool for Bournemouth(Image: Getty)
Liverpool have exceeded £200million in sales this transfer window, with 19-year-old Ben Doak leaving for a fee of £25m. And following his move to Bournemouth, the Scottish winger now wishes to be known as Ben Gannon Doak.
Arne Slot's Reds remain busy in the transfer market, with interest in Alexander Isak still ongoing and nearly £300m spent on players such as Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez, Hugo Ekitike and Florian Wirtz. However, a significant chunk of this expenditure has been offset through player sales.
Eight first-team stars have bid farewell to Anfield this window, including Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez, and another player, Gannon Doak, has left. Despite being known simply as Doak at Liverpool and during his loan spell at Middlesbrough last year, he now prefers to use both his parents' surnames and departs the club with fond memories, save for one training ground embarrassment.
Gannon Doak arrived on Merseyside in March 2022 from Celtic as an academy prospect, with the Scottish club receiving around £600,000 in compensation for his transfer.
He made his debut under Jurgen Klopp in a Carabao Cup match against Derby County and soon after signed his first professional contract. Gannon Doak became the youngest Scot to play in the Premier League when he featured against Aston Villa that December, reports the Mirror.
A knee injury kept him out for most of the subsequent season, but not before a humorous training ground incident involving forgotten Reds midfielder Arthur Melo.
The Brazilian managed just 13 minutes for Liverpool whilst on loan from Juventus, but in March 2023, he became an internet sensation for a moment of magic during training.
Klopp's squad were gearing up for a showdown with Manchester City, and started a rondo, with Gannon Doak doing the pressing. Melo collected the ball, and with Gannon Doak bearing down on him, he smoothly rolled it between his legs, nutmegging the young Scot and leaving him embarrassed.
Gannon Doak's fellow countryman, Andy Robertson, burst into fits of laughter following the skill, whilst team-mates Diaz, Curtis Jones and Nunez were equally amazed.
The duo embraced after the nutmeg, although neither featured in the following 4-1 loss to eventual title winners City. Melo departed Anfield that summer following a temporary stint plagued by fitness problems.
Gannon Doak also endured periods out injured before his loan switch to Middlesbrough in August 2024. Last November, he claimed the EFL Young Player of the Month accolade after registering five assists in the same number of matches.
Now, Gannon Doak has transferred permanently to the Cherries, where he's been given the No. 11 jersey, and has chosen a fresh name on the back to honour both his parents' family names. It has been suggested that this transfer includes a buy-back clause for the Reds.
"I'm buzzing to be here. I feel like it's the right time for me and it's a great opportunity to play regular football at the highest level," said Gannon Doak after his move was announced.
"It feels like the perfect fit. The team play very nice football. It's fast and it really suits my game, so I felt like I couldn't say no to the chance to play here."