The unconventional nature of Ben Doak's Middlesbrough loan transfer from Liverpool this summer

Ben Doak's loan move from Liverpool has proven quite revolutionary for Middlesbrough's season. And to say it was a rather unconventional signing would be an understatement.

It was certainly unexpected. Doak excelled at Liverpool after moving from Celtic and, despite his tender years, had already made ten first-team appearances for the Reds. Despite that, his career was set back last season when he suffered a serious knee injury that resulted in him missing around seven months.

What made it unconventional for Boro is that, rather than Boro's recruitment team recommending players to Carrick based on positions the Boro boss wanted to strengthen this summer, Doak was actually a Carrick recommendation. Head of football Kieran Scott made that revelation in an interview with BBC Tees recently, noting the Boro boss went to them early in the summer and said if he became available, he'd want him.

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In reality, there was little to no expectation Doak would leave Anfield on loan this season until the final week of the window. When Arne Slot's side signed Federico Chiesa, boosting their attacking options, it pushed Doak down the pecking order. Made aware the Scotland international would be available, Boro were one of eight clubs in for him before ultimately winning the battle and reaping the rewards ever since.

Asked about recommending Doak, and when he first became aware of the teenage wing sensation, Carrick said: "I think it was just a case that he was at an age where he was desperate to do well and improve. His attributes were obvious and we knew, as everyone has since seen, what he would bring.

"I just thought he was someone that would really suit us, playing the way we do, but also, I believed we would really suit him as well. It seemed to be a good match. I can't remember exactly when I first became aware of him; it was just over time really. I was aware of him and was hearing good things about him.

"Then obviously, over the summer as it developed, as I always say, we were looking to see and open-minded to what might pop up. Sometimes it's planned, sometimes it's not but the opportunity came and we made the best of it. We're delighted to have him, he's done great and settled in so well.

"He's still young, he's still learning and developing physically, so we still have to be careful with him. But I enjoy watching him at the moment and I think you can see he's playing with a lot of confidence and looking really dangerous."

Doak has proven a revelation for Boro with his pace and direct dribbling style. He has one goal and three assists for Boro to date, though those numbers stop short of summarising his overall impact on the team. The 18-year-old has recently expressed how much he's enjoying life at the Riverside, too, and how things can get even better as he develops connections with team-mates.