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Ben Doak sends timely Liverpool reminder amid Mohamed Salah contract uncertainty

Ben Doak is enjoying a productive season with Boro
-Credit:2025 Getty Images


Liverpool and its fans probably didn't need a reminder about Ben Doak's quality but they have just been given one after he won the Championship's Young Player of the Month award for November.

Doak registered five assists in five appearances in the second tier in November, helping to put Boro in a promising position in the Championship table.

"It's good to be recognized for my performances, but I couldn't have performed the way I did in November if it wasn't for the rest of the lads," Doak said after receiving the award

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"I enjoyed the month and I'm sure a lot of the lads did as well, because it was a positive month for us. I got more assists than goals but I'm just happy to be helping the team out any way I can."

Middlesbrough currently sits fifth in the Championship table after 25 matches, and Doak has appeared in 20 of those, registering five assists — all of which came in November — and scoring twice.

The 19-year-old is highly regarded at Anfield, and there are hopes among supporters that he could be a long-term replacement for Mohamed Salah with a few years of first-team soccer under his belt.

Despite how well Doak's loan spell in the Championship is going, Liverpool does not intend to recall the Scot for the second half of the season, instead preferring for him to continue his development in the North East.

Speaking a few weeks ago about the prospect of losing Doak in January, Boro boss Michael Carrick said: “I’m quite calm about it, to be honest. No drama. I think we are calm. There are loads of things, ifs and buts, and changes in football - that’s transfer windows. I’ve said it to you enough times, but I’m really calm about it to be honest.

"I’m happy with the way that things are going and we’ll take what comes next and deal with it. Ben’s happy, we’re happy, he’s in a good place. You can see in his body language and demeanor he’s happy. He keeps working hard and he’s enjoying it here and it’s been effective for us. As long as that carries on, then we’re all good."