Football: a young Liverpool player collapses in the middle of a match after a violent shock to the head in the Youth Champions League

The image is impressive, 17-year-old Ben Doak, lined up with the young Liverpool Reds for a Youth League quarter-final, the Under-19 Champions League, had to leave his teammates after eight minutes of game after he received a blow to the head

The staggering player then collapsed on the lawn, raising fears for the worst. The match was immediately stopped and the trainers rushed to the player. The game then resumed without the player replaced as a precaution.

The player did not lose consciousness but remained under observation by Liverpool medical staff. At the end of the match his coach, Barry Lewtas, gave reassuring news: “Well he’s fine. He couldn’t go on, but our medical staff got to him quickly. He was on the pitch at the end with the guys and we’ll be watching him closely.”

A defeat of the young people of Liverpool which almost passes for anecdotal as the image made believe the worst for the young Ben. A promising player who has already played games with the A team of the Reds and who is getting closer to the Scottish selection.