Why Michael Carrick feels Middlesbrough is the perfect place for Liverpool loanee Ben Doak

Ben Doak of Middlesbrough celebrates scoring
-Credit: (Image: Greig Cowie/REX/Shutterstock)


Michael Carrick believes Middlesbrough will be the perfect environment for Ben Doak to showcase his talent after an impressive full debut for the Liverpool loanee.

Doak gave an all-action display as he helped Boro to a much-needed 2-0 victory over Stoke City, marking his first start for the club with the first goal in the game too. Boro boss Carrick was left delighted by his impact, having thrown him in at the expense of Isaiah Jones.

“I thought he showed what he’s all about," Carrick said after. "He’s a real threat and we’re blessed down that side with him, Izzy and Marcus [Forss] coming back. We’ll be able to have a freshness to keep them sharp and bright to have a real impact when they do play. He definitely did that today.

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“He’s young, but if you’re good enough you’re old enough. He hasn’t played an awful lot of football but he’s got character and personality and when he’s come on he’s proven really eager to have an impact and develop. I wasn’t surprised today because we kind of expected that from him. We’re really excited to see what he can do from here while with us."

Doak's first start came after two bright cameos from the bench in recent weeks after Boro worked hard at the end of the summer transfer window to beat many other clubs to his loan signature. Feeling he could prove an exciting game-changer for them, his direct style made a huge difference after recent attacking struggles.

Boro notably tried to get the ball out to Doak quickly, offering the time and space to attack his marker where he generally beat Eric Bocat over and over again to create many promising openings for Boro. He was well-placed at the back post to profit from Viktor Johansson's spill after Riley McGree's shot.

Feeling the Boro setup suits the young Liverpool star perfectly, Carrick continued: “The way I try and put the team out, there is a structure and things we try and implement, but there is definitely room for individualism within that - playing to each other’s strengths.

"Similarly, the way Riley and Finn [Azaz] play between the lines, Manu on the last line running in behind. It’s about knowing what each individual is good at and wants. Both Ben and Izzy like getting the ball around the box, one-on-one where they can then attack their full-backs.

"I think that’s part of the connections and wavelengths that, as we always say, develop over time. The split second to know how each other wants it makes such a difference. It’s obvious with Ben where he wants it and I think we used the ball well enough to create the space for him, and he certainly made the most of it."