Liverpool starlet Ben Doak faces lengthy spell on the sidelines after tearing his meniscus - but 18-year-old is backed to 'come back stronger' after knee surgery

Liverpool wonderkid Ben Doak is set for an extended period on the sidelines after it was confirmed he needs surgery on a knee injury.

The teenage Scottish winger limped off in an Under-21s fixture against Chelsea last weekend, putting the brakes on what has been stellar progress since he arrived at Anfield from Celtic in 2022.

Doak, 18, has made four starts for Jurgen Klopp's first team this season and has earned rave reviews.

Liverpool assistant boss Pep Lijnders revealed on Tuesday that Doak now requires surgery - and backed him to return stronger than ever.

Jurgen Klopp (right) will be without teenager Ben Doak (left) after the 18-year-old was booked in for knee surgery having torn his lateral meniscus in an Under-21 match against Chelsea

'That's not a good one,' said Lijnders. 'He tore his lateral meniscus, which needs surgery. That one will take a longer time. 

'He is young, he is a fit guy, he is a positive guy. So, for sure, he will come back stronger.

'We need him to come back with the same fire he has with the ball, how he was. We will wait for him.'

Doak signed a new long-term deal with Liverpool in September and has featured regularly throughout their Europa League campaign, but Euro 2024 with Scotland is now on the backburner.