Ben Doak’s climb to prominence in the Championship has been rapid, and there are few players in the second division with the abilities that the Scottish winger possesses right now.
Currently on loan at Middlesbrough from Liverpool, the newly turned 19-year-old has established himself as a key member of Michael Carrick’s starting lineup at the Riverside Stadium, and he is proving to be a genuine handful for full-backs around the division.
His abilities, which are now well recognised to those who follow the Championship, were demonstrated to not only Europe but the rest of the globe over the weekend, as he played for Scotland against Croatia and Poland.
However, while he has begun to prove himself in recent months, more discussions about his future at Liverpool will begin in the new year, as will speculation over whether he has the talent to make the step up for the Premier League giants.
Doak, Liverpool prediction made
With one goal and three assists in ten matches, Doak is gradually becoming more engaged in his team’s goal scoring. Arne Slot, his parent club’s manager, will keep track of his performances in preparation for the start of next season.
The 19-year-old already has first-team experience at Anfield, having made 10 appearances after making his Carabao Cup debut in a substitute role against Derby County in November 2022.
However, with Liverpool’s management having changed since last season, there will be questions about whether he can break into the group when he returns. However, Football League World’s Middlesbrough Fan Pundit, Jasper Hudson, is confident that he can contribute. When asked if he believes Doak has a bright future with the Reds, he replied:
“There’s absolutely no reason why Ben Doak can’t have a bright future at Liverpool, or even beyond that with whatever top club I’m sure he’ll end up playing for.”
“Statistically, he stands among Vinicius Junior and others as the best in the world for carries into the box per 90, and you can tell he’s dominating Championship defence.
“Even on the international stage for Scotland recently, getting past Gvardiol in a video that’s been circulating on Twitter.” So he certainly has a lot of talent, and his best strength is his confidence.”
Jasper went on to say, “He never hesitates to attempt to beat a man, but he also doesn’t misuse his best skill, and he’s smart enough to know when and when not to do so. Which I think is another important trait, which is why I believe he will go further than players like Adama Traore, who have the ability to beat a player but aren’t always as smart about when to do so.
“There’s no reason why Doak can’t be a top player at Liverpool or whatever large team he eventually joins. He has pace, talent, footballing acumen, and is clinical in front of goal, and he only creates scoring opportunities.
“It may all start with a simple pass out wide, and before you know it, he’s beating his man, hammering the ball across the box, or laying it back.
“His deliveries into the box are always really good and that shows with some of the assists he’s got this season, picking out players in the box and knowing what type of delivery, whether it’s low, a cut back or fired across goal – he is a really, really talented player.”
Doak’s numbers speak for themselves.
Few wingers in the Championship are as dominant on the ball as Doak, who has been a persistent menace on Middlesbrough’s right flank.
According to FotMob, he has only been dispossessed seven times and has completed 23 dribbles in just ten league games. This ability to get up and down the wing allows him to generate opportunities for his teammates, and while he only has three assists at the moment, that number is set to grow significantly in the coming months.
Similarly, Doak’s goal total will only increase as he gains confidence in front of the net, with his xG indicating that he is probably somewhat underperforming in that regard. His rate of 2.52 compared to his actual figure of one indicates that he still has potential for improvement, which is understandable given his young age.
| Ben Doak Middlesbrough Stats 2024/25 (FotMob)* | |
|---|---|
| Appearances (Starts) | 10 (8) |
| Minutes Played | 688 |
| Goals (Assists) | 1 (3) |
| xG | 2.52 |
| Shots (On Target) | 15 (8) |
| Pass Accuracy | 81.5% |
| Chances Created | 21 |
| Crosses Completed | 5 |
| Dribble Success | 51.1% |
| Touches (In Opposition Box) | 427 (68) |
| *Stats correct as of 20/11/2024 | |
Liverpool will be looking forward to his return at the end of the season, and following his stunning start at Middlesbrough, there is no doubt that he can and will play an important role in the Premier League over the next few years.
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