Ben Doak will reportedly get the chance to stake his claim for a place in Arne Slot’s squad at Liverpool next season after holding positive talks with Anfield bosses.
The winger has impressed in a loan spell at Middlesbrough this season, registering three goals and seven assists in 24 matches so far. The Scotland star’s displays caught the eye of Premier League duo Crystal Palace and Ipswich Town, who both saw bids of £16million knocked back by Liverpool. It was initially thought that the Reds would only consider offers of at least £30million for the 19-year-old, who has made 10 first team appearances for Liverpool since his arrival from Celtic in the summer of 2022.
But according to The Athletic, Doak has been reassured that he is very much a part of Slot‘s plans going forward. They report that Fenway Sports Group – who own Liverpool – sent CEO of football Michael Edwards and technical director Julian Ward up to Middlesbrough’s Rockliffe Park training ground back in December to meet with the teenager. They add that the Merseyside giants are delighted with Doak‘s development for Boro, who are pushing for a play-off place in England’s second tier.
Edwards and Ward are also said to have held talks with Boro manager Michael Carrick and first team coach Jonathan Woodgate, who briefly worked in Liverpool’s academy. The Athletic also state that Doak is rated so highly by Liverpool’s data analyst team that they would be investing heavily in scouting the pacey wideman if he was not on their books already.
Doak is currently out of action for a few weeks after picking up a thigh injury. The talented teen will hope to regain his fitness in time for Scotland’s crunch two-legged Nations League play-off clash with Greece next month. Steve Clarke’s side face the Greeks in Athens on March 20 before hosting them in the return fixture three days later.
Tune in to Hotline Live every Sunday to Thursday and have your say on the biggest issues in Scottish football.