BREAKING NEWS: Liverpool star who left the club in the summer is set to return to Anfield in January.
Arne Slot recently made a light-hearted comment aimed at Liverpool’s management about Ben Doak, who is currently spending the season on loan from Anfield at Middlesbrough. Doak’s late move during the final hours of the summer transfer window saw him head to the Championship, joining a large pool of Reds players temporarily placed at other clubs. This opportunity is valuable for the 18-year-old winger, as he’s gaining first-team experience in a competitive environment. However, recent injuries in Liverpool’s frontline have raised concerns over attacking depth, with Diogo Jota and Federico Chiesa both sidelined.
During a press conference on Tuesday, ahead of the Carabao Cup tie against Brighton, Slot addressed Liverpool’s injury struggles up front and jokingly suggested that recalling Doak might not be a bad idea. Smiling as he spoke, the Dutchman remarked, “You see now, we’ve got six forwards, two of them are injured, so only four left. With the schedule we have, that’s sometimes a bit of a worry for me. Maybe we should bring Ben Doak back!”
While Slot’s quip was clearly made in jest, his remark does touch on Liverpool’s limited options at right-wing. Mo Salah remains the team’s only natural player in that position, especially with Chiesa’s ongoing recovery. Though Harvey Elliott can play on the right, he generally excels in an attacking midfield role and has been managing his own injury concerns lately. Liverpool could experiment by switching players like Luis Diaz or Cody Gakpo to the right flank if Salah were unavailable, giving manager Jurgen Klopp a Plan B if the team finds itself in need.
In reality, recalling Doak from his loan spell is unlikely unless Liverpool’s injury situation worsens significantly. The young Scot is finding regular minutes at Middlesbrough, which will serve him well in the long run as he adapts to the physical demands of senior-level football. Though he has showcased potential, Doak has netted only once in his 518 minutes of Championship action so far this season, indicating that he’s still developing consistency in his play.
While there’s always the possibility that Doak’s form could improve dramatically, his growth will likely be more sustainable by staying at Middlesbrough, where he can play regularly without the immediate pressures of competing in Liverpool’s high-stakes lineup. The experience he gains now will better equip him for a potential future at Anfield. Meanwhile, Liverpool has enough attacking options to manage their upcoming fixtures, with Salah, Diaz, and Gakpo all capable of shouldering responsibilities across the forward line.
