Liverpool: Ben Doak reveals exactly what Arne Slot said to him before Middlesbrough switch | OneFootball

The Liverpool loanee seemingly had plenty of help when deciding to move to the Riverside Stadium

Liverpool loanee Ben Doak has revealed what manager Arne Slot told him about Middlesbrough before he joined the Championship club in the summer transfer window.

The winger completed a temporary move to the Riverside Stadium back in August, and it seems he did so with some positive recommendations.

In total, Middlesbrough made eight senior signings before this summer's market closed in late August.

One of those was Doak, who arrived on a season-long loan from Anfield on the final day of the window.

Now, the 18-year-old has spoken about how that move came about, giving an insight into Slot's view of 'Boro manager Michael Carrick in the process.

Arne Slot holds a positive Michael Carrick view

Doak joined Liverpool back in the summer of 2022, joining from Celtic after making two senior appearances for the Scottish giants.

The winger then went onto make ten first-team outings for the Merseyside club over the last two years.

However, he was then sent out on loan during this summer's transfer window, completing a temporary move to The Riverside Stadium.

Now it seems as though Doak had plenty of help from his parent club in choosing Middlesbrough as his loan destination.

That included some insight from Slot himself, who seemingly has a high opinion of the football played by the Championship club under Carrick.

Speaking about how his temporary move to the Riverside Stadium came about, Doak was quoted by The Liverpool Echo as saying: "I went on the pre-season tour with Liverpool, had a good time, got some minutes for the first time since my injury last year and I think I made a good impression before the injury, so I had a few clubs with eyes on me.

"The club helped me pick as well and I watched a few Boro games and I knew a few of the lads here.

"I didn’t think there was a much better place than the Boro, especially to be honest the amount they have the ball on the right-hand side and the team just naturally caters to my game.

"The club (Liverpool) helps you narrow it down, then you speak to the gaffers and then just pick the team that takes your fancy and Arne Slot obviously approved of the choice. He said Michael’s team play really good football, he’s got the team playing really well."

Since making the move to Middlesbrough, the winger has made three Championship appearances for the club.

He made his first start and scored his first goal for Carrick's side in their 2-0 win over Stoke City at The Riverside on Saturday afternoon.

That result has put 'Boro eighth in the Championship table, with 11 points from seven league games so far this season.

They are next in action on Tuesday night, with a trip to The Hawthorns to face current league leaders West Brom.

A positive sign for Middlesbrough

It is hard to argue with this verdict that Slot appears to have given of 'Boro as a team under Carrick.

With the former Manchester United and England manager in charge, the club have won plenty of admirers for their ability and way they play, and are among the favourites for promotion.

Indeed, Carrick's spell in charge of Middlesbrough only seems to have enhanced his reputation as a manager, and these comments do look to reflect that.

Beyond that, it is also interesting that Slot already appears to have formed an opinion such as this about the 'Boro boss and his team.

He only arrived in England this summer when he replaced Jurgen Klopp as Liverpool manager, so these observations do seem to highlight his attention to detail.

It is also encouraging for Middlesbrough that they have made such a positive impression on someone considered to be one of the world's top managers so quickly.

That is something that both suggests there is an expectation they should be doing well this season, and that Slot could be willing to loan them more players in the future.

With Doak now in the side and making an impact, this also looks like a productive move for the youngster as he looks to get more senior experience.

As a result, this temporary move from Liverpool to Middlesbrough for the winger, does look like being one that could work rather well for all concerned.