Scotland international Ben Doak will remain with Middlesbrough for the remainder of the season after the deadline for Liverpool to recall the winger passed.
Middlesbrough manager Michael Carrick had previously disclosed that Liverpool included a recall clause in Doak’s season-long loan deal, though the specific cut-off date was unclear.
However, following Doak’s pivotal role in Boro’s 2-0 win over West Brom on Tuesday night, where he scored the decisive second goal, Carrick confirmed the exciting 19-year-old talent will stay on to bolster the squad for the rest of the campaign.
“The deadline has passed for Ben,” Carrick told reporters following the English Championship match at the Riverside Stadium.
“I said all along I was calm! Obviously we’re really happy he’s here, but genuinely, it hasn’t been a big thing for us.
“He showed again tonight how dangerous he is and then scored a terrific goal. It’s something he can do a little bit more, come inside onto his left foot, because it’s something he’s good at as well. I’m delighted with it.
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“He’s got that weapon and unique threat. The way he plays the game, everyone has their own strengths, but the way Ben plays the game, he’s always in the game and always a threat.
“We’re obviously happy he’ll be staying here. He’s a big role and he’ll continue to do that for the time that he’s here.”
Doak was recently subject to £15million transfer bids from Crystal Palace and Ipswich Town, but Liverpool deem him as a future asset and would rather he continued to flourish at Middlesbrough for now.
The former Celtic kid has three goals and six assists from 23 appearances this season.
