Liverpool confirm new loan move as Arne Slot squad takes further shape

Middlesbrough have completed the signing of Ben Doak on a season-long loan deal from Liverpool. The Scotland winger had been wanted by a number of clubs including newly-promoted pair Leicester City and Southampton, while Hull City were also keen.

The Tigers had hoped their good relationship that had been established with the Reds during their loaning of both Tyler Morton and Fabio Carvalho might have paved the way for another short-term agreement to be struck. However Doak has now put the finishing touches on his agreement with Boro as he aims to kick-start his senior career in the Championship after an injury-hit campaign last time out.

The addition of Federico Chiesa from Juventus this week only increased the competition for teenage winger Doak and he has been allowed to move on loan to gain some senior minutes in the second tier.

With Chiesa becoming the sixth senior option for head coach Arne Slot up top at Liverpool and with the return of a new-look Champions League limiting the scope for rotated sides for the Reds in Europe this term, it was thought Doak would be better served gaining experience in the North East.

A meniscus injury suffered in an Under-21s match against Chelsea in December of last year, which came shortly after his most recent senior appearance, in a 2-1 Europa League defeat to Union Saint-Gilliose in Brussels.

Doak joins a slew of deadline day departures following confirmation of Nat Phillips' move to Derby County and Stefan Bajcetic's short-term exit to Red Bull Salzburg.