Middlesbrough, Liverpool will share same Ben Doak fear after Michael Carrick comments | OneFootball

After recent comments from the Boro boss, the last thing Doak's surrogate and parent club will want from him is to suffer an injury, and this is why.

It has been a strong start to the 2024/25 Championship season for Middlesbrough, with one loan signing being particularly praised for his efforts.

Scottish international Ben Doak has impressed on Teesside since arriving on a season-long loan from Premier League side Liverpool in late August, and his current manager Michael Carrick has already realised that recent performances have left the winger targeted both domestically and internationally.

His recent assists for the Tartan Army in victories over Croatia and Poland, which saved Scotland's UEFA Nations League campaign, was followed up with a foul that won Boro a penalty in their recent 6-2 rout of Oxford United - he was then back on the goal contribution hunt against Hull City this past weekend, and he notched two assists to take his tally to one goal and five assists for Boro already.

Carrick believes these performances will likely lead to increased tackles on him in the league, which is the last thing both his surrogate and parent club will want to see as it increases the risk of injury.

Michael Carrick has already realised that Ben Doak is going to be targeted by Championship defenders

Speaking to the media after his side's victory over the U's last week, ex-Manchester United midfielder Carrick clear Doak's stellar performances for Boro and Scotland means his subsequent targeting is part and parcel of the game.

"Ben is going to be a marked man now and he's going to have to deal with it," Carrick said.

"I thought it wasn't a great tackle on him for the penalty, but luckily he's alright."

Doak was brought down in the box by U's defender Elliott Moore on the 37th minute to win a penalty, which Emmanuel Latte Lath converted to make it 1-1. The Ivorian would go on to bag a hat trick as Boro suddenly found themselves 3-1 up at half-time, going on to hit the U's for six. However, it was Doak's interceptions and ability to create chances down the wing which saw him become targeted by the opposition.

Carrick went on to comment on the teenage talent, saying: "We know what the boy is capable of and it's exciting, there's no getting away from it.

"It's just really enjoyable watching the team perform at the moment, seeing them express themselves and getting their rewards for it. Ben Doak's playing really well."

Keeping Ben Doak off the treatment table will be Middlesbrough's priority for the future

When pursuing a coveted place in the top flight, the loan market usually plays a crucial role in helping teams get there.

The ability to unlock the potential of a player highly rated by a top team, by giving him regular game time, makes the race for the top six fascinating - particularly as the January transfer window looms.

Doak is a perfect example of this for Boro. His impressive performances for Boro and Scotland have got fans and adversaries taking note of him.

As a result, opposition managers are making it a priority for their side to neutralise the attacking threat of Doak. Although this is part of the game, neither Boro nor Liverpool will want to see this.

The former Ayr United and Celtic man is only 19 years old, and so still has his entire career ahead of him. He's probably about a decade off his peak and will likely go on to play at a high level for many years, and the fact this young starlet is already being targeted means he is at risk of sustaining a dangerous injury which could make all that potential evaporate in a split second.

The saving grace is that should Doak suffer such an injury, he will likely benefit from some of the most state-of-the-art treatment tables in the world thanks to his Merseyside parent club.

However, to maintain their push for a Premier League spot next season, Boro must make it a priority to keep him away from any such treatment tables whatsoever.

As long as his teammates protect him on the pitch, Doak just needs to keep doing what he's doing. Football is - of course - a team game, and if Boro can take care of the important matter of protecting each other from serious injury, the little things will take care of themselves.