Football League World
·2 October 2024
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·2 October 2024
Michael Carrick seems to have admirers at Anfield
It has been something of a mixed start to the 2024/25 Championship season for Middlesbrough.
Going into the campaign, Michael Carick's side were among many people's favourites to win promotion to the Premier League.
However, they are so far yet to emerge as one of the clear frontrunners, with a mixed set of results meaning they currently occupy a spot outside of the play-off places.
There is though, still plenty of time for them to change that, and after their strong finish to last season, they will know there is a possibility that can happen.
Indeed, their prospects may also improve as certain players move into a position where they can be more heavily involved for the club, and one who may fall into that category, is Ben Doak.
Back on the final day of the summer transfer window, 'Boro completed the signing of Doak on a season-long loan from Liverpool.
After coming off the bench in his first two appearances for the club, the winger was handed his first start by Carrick on Saturday.
That is a move that paid off, with the 18-year-old scoring his first goal for Middlesbrough in a 2-0 win over Stoke City at The Riverside Stadium.
Given the potential he has already shown, those signs that he could be about to show that on a regular basis, will be exciting for those at The Riverside Stadium.
If he is able to do that, then there is a good chance that the highly-rated Scot can play a big part in helping the club push for promotion this season.
Beyond that, it could also be argued that some of the recent comments made by Doak, should also be exciting for those connected with Middlesbrough.
In the aftermath of his goal against Stoke over the weekend, the winger has been speaking about the process that saw him temporarily move to The Riverside Stadium in the summer.
In an interview with The Liverpool Echo, Doak admitted he had been the subject of interest from a number of clubs in the summer transfer window.
However, he explained that many within Liverpool had recommended Middlesbrough to him as his next destination.
The teenager also claimed that new Reds boss Arne Slot had told him about that teams under 'Boro boss Michael Carrick, play "really good football".
All of that should be encouraging for those at The Riverside Stadium, with such a glowing endorsement suggesting Liverpool would be open to loaning more players to 'Boro in the future.
In recent years, players such as Harvey Elliott, Tyler Morton, Fabio Carvalho, and Sepp van den Berg have all impressed while out on loan from Liverpool in the Championship.
Prior to Doak though, Middlesbrough themselves had not completed the signing of a player from Liverpool this century.
As a result, this new stance could now open the door for 'Boro to bring in some rather useful assets from Anfield, who someone as highly rated as Carrick, could bring the best out of.
Based on that past evidence from other players with other clubs, they could potentially make a big contribution at The Riverside further down the line, as you would expect Doak to do this season.