Tommy Conway, a team-mate of Ben Doak for both club and country presently, believes the Liverpool winger has a big future
Liverpool prospect Ben Doak is enjoying a superb season on loan at Middlesbrough. And the exciting teenage talent is being backed to force his way into Arne Slot’s side when he returns to Anfield.
The 19-year-old has scored one goal and has three assists to his name for Michael Carrick’s promotion-pushing side since making a loan move from Liverpool in August.
And his Boro team-mate Tommy Conway has backed Doak, who he also plays alongside for Scotland, to use his spell in the Championship as a platform to become a regular Premier League performer at Anfield.
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“I’ve put my arm around Doakie and looked after him a bit. But he has taken to it here at Boro like a duck to water,” said Conway, who made a £4.5m move to the Riverside Stadium in the summer from Bristol City.
“I can’t say enough about him. He’s like what he is on the pitch off it as well – he’s electric. The boy’s always at it. Hopefully we can both take that on to the international stage and cause carnage there.
“When Doakie is dribbling with the ball, going at someone, you just know something’s going to happen. And as a striker myself, that’s what I want. He’s going to chuck in a stepover, get to the byline and put in a cross, which is great for me.
“He can do that for Scotland as well. You saw it in the last camp. I watched the Croatia game where he gave Gvardiol (Manchester City defender Josko Gvardio) a hard time. When Doakie came back, he joked that he had him in his pocket. That sums him up.
“His pace and skill is there for everyone to see. He’s still a young boy with so much to learn but he has never lacked confidence. He thinks he should start every game for Scotland. As a footballer, you have to think like that.
“He started against Croatia and Portugal and was buzzing because they’re top sides. That will definitely stand him in good stead. You can tell Doakie has been around a first-team environment for a long time. He knows how to handle himself in a changing room, which can be hard at times.
“He’ll go back to Liverpool thinking he should start and that’s credit to his character. When you have that mentality it’s going to happen. When he eventually goes back there I expect him to get in the team.”
Doak has signed on a season-long loan for Middlesbrough but the Reds do have the option of recalling him in January.
Teeside Live report Boro officials are relaxed about the situation as things stand with the Scotland international sent to the Riverside because of the lack of game time opportunities that would be likely for him at Liverpool this season.
The player himself is happy at Middlesbrough, saying after their thumping 5-1 win at home to Luton Town on Saturday: “I’m really enjoying my football playing with these lot. I’m really starting to build a connection with a lot of the lads – they know my strengths and are doing a really good job of catering to them. I’m absolutely loving it.
“Every young lad just wants to play footie, it doesn’t matter what level. I’m lucky to be playing for such a good team and at such a good club.”
Conway, who could line-up alongside Doak when Scotland host Croatia on Friday night, says the youngsters are learning a lot from Boro boss and Manchester United great Carrick.
He said: “The manager and what he’s done with players before were big factors in me coming here. Me and Doakie are learning from him.
“He’s played at the highest level, won major trophies for Manchester United, so knows what it takes. That’s only going to help me and Doakie for club and country.”
