Liverpool could already have dream Mohamed Salah successor who is 'a little bit different'
Middlesbrough manager Michael Carrick has lauded Liverpool loanee Ben Doak amid concerns over the future of Mohamed Salah. The Egyptian has sparked fresh concern over his future at Anfield following his telling admission in light of the win over Southampton.
The 32-year-old revealed that he has yet to receive a formal contract offer from the Reds with the opportunity for overseas clubs to enter pre-contract negotiations looming in January. Salah continued to prove his worth on Sunday as his second-half brace helped Liverpool past the Saints in a 3-2 win to take them eight points clear at the top of the Premier League.
The club had not expected the future of their best-paid player to be resolved swiftly and are keen to keep hold of Salah, while conversations around a new deal are understood to have been positive. Whether or not the Egyptian does stay beyond next summer, a successor will eventually be needed one way or the other, with Doak touted as one potential option for the Reds.
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Doak, 19, is seemingly thriving in his first taste of loan football away from Merseyside. The tricky winger has recently established himself as one of the next stars for the Scotland national team and domestically, he is proving to be a handful for Championship defenders - much to the advantage of Boro.
He has one goal and three assists in 11 matches so far in the English second division but his threat has been clear to see, despite the numbers not quite matching the reports from the Riverside Stadium. Saturday's 6-2 win over Oxford United kept Middlesbrough in the playoff positions as they sit just five points off the top and automatic places.
His showings have earned praise in the North East and Carrick is delighted with the attacker's progress. He told The Sunday Times: "He’s a fantastic player, great attitude, a lot older in his character than his age suggests. His attitude is probably a little bit different to the way the game has gone.
"He’s happy to keep going and keep trying [to beat opponents] which is quite refreshing to see."
