Ben Doak has been the breakout star for Liverpool’s loan army this season, with the winger making a real name for himself in the Championship.
The Scotland international has taken to life at Middlesbrough under Michael Carrick like a duck to water, with Doak becoming one of the most exciting players to watch in the English second-tier and establishing himself as a prospect for the future for the Reds.
With Liverpool deciding to keep Doak at Middlesbrough for the remainder of the season despite transfer offers from Crystal Palace, the former Celtic wonderkid looks primed to return to Merseyside later this year at his absolute best and ready to take part in Arne Slot’s first-team plans.
With a number of Liverpool forwards likely to leave in the summer, there will be a place for Doak to stake his claim under Slot, and Former Scotland international Steven Caldwell believes the teenage attacker has a shot at becoming a full member of the senior team.
Doak backed to have a shot at Liverpool next season under Slot
Speaking to RG, the former Newcastle United and Sunderland defender backed Doak to have a chance with the seniors next season under Slot, with Caldwell confident that the Scottish winger has enough in his locker to impress the Reds.
Caldwell said when asked about Doak’s ceiling: “It’s pretty high. It’s going to be tough to break through at Liverpool, but he’s doing excellently at Middlesbrough and will certainly be fancied by a lot of Premier League teams if Liverpool decide to let him go.
“I think Liverpool have high hopes and will give him a chance in the first team after this loan spell. It’s been a great season, and he’s establishing himself in the Scotland side. He’s different, he’s quick, he’s exciting.
“He’s a player that we don’t necessarily have in the Scotland squad. He’s going to keep getting better and working hard… I’m super excited to see where his career takes him.”
READ MORE: Liverpool youngster Ben Doak upstages Mohamed Salah with ‘brilliant’ goal for Middlesbrough
Who else could break into Liverpool’s first-team next season?
Doak has been the standout loan player for Liverpool this season, but the Scotland international is far from the only youngster who has impressed nor has a shot at being promoted into Slot’s first-team squad for next season.
Liverpool have been thrilled with Owen Beck’s development on loan at Blackburn Rovers with the left-back potentially in with a shot of first-team minutes next season with Jamie Carragher keen to see the Reds overhaul the position over the summer.
With Stefan Bajcetic set for a loan move to Las Palmas, the Spanish youth international could also be involved if he impresses in the second-half of the season, with the 20-year-old already showing in recent years that he has a future with the Reds in midfield.
Receive a digest of our best Liverpool content each week direct to your mailbox
