Ben Doak loan stance confirmed as Liverpool star sends clear message
Middlesbrough boss Michael Carrick has confirmed that Ben Doak will remain at the club for the remainder of the season amid speculation about his long-term future at Liverpool. The 19-year-old is spending the season on loan from the Reds at the Championship club and has been one of the star players at the Riverside this term.
Tuesday night saw Doak score a sublime strike in a 2-0 win over West Bromwich Albion in the Championship. The teenager struck his effort with his left foot outside the penalty area, which flew past goalkeeper Alex Palmer, as the on-loan Liverpool star wheeled away in celebration.
Doak's future has been generating headlines this month after Liverpool reportedly rejected offers in the region of £15million from Crystal Palace and Ipswich Town for the winger. The Reds had no plans to recall Doak from his loan at Boro, and now their manager has confirmed that the deadline for the forward to return to Anfield this month has been and gone.
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“The deadline has passed for Ben," Carrick told Teesside Live. "I said all along I was calm! Obviously we’re really happy he’s here, but genuinely, it hasn’t been a big thing for us.
"He showed again tonight how dangerous he is and then scored a terrific goal. It’s something he can do a little bit more, come inside onto his left foot, because it’s something he’s good at as well. I’m delighted with it.
“He’s got that weapon and unique threat. The way he plays the game, everyone has their own strengths, but the way Ben plays the game, he’s always in the game and always a threat.
"We’re obviously happy he’ll be staying here. He’s a big role and he’ll continue to do that for the time that he’s here.”
Doak has scored three goals with six assists for Boro this season and helped the club climb up to fifth in the Championship table. His last appearance for Liverpool came in December 2023 in a defeat to Union Saint-Gilloise in the Europa League.
