Liverpool’s loaned-out star faces a new injury setback, leaving his manager “deeply disappointed.”

Liverpool loanee Ben Doak sidelined for weeks with thigh injury at Middlesbrough

Ben Doak is set to miss several weeks of action after sustaining a thigh injury while on loan at Middlesbrough. The young winger has been in impressive form at the Riverside, contributing three goals and seven assists in the Championship, helping Michael Carrick’s side push for a play-off spot.

However, he was unexpectedly absent from Boro’s defeat to Sunderland on Monday, a loss that left them 14 points behind their rivals. Carrick, whose team has won just two of their last nine matches, confirmed the injury setback.

“He just felt his thigh during training last week,” Carrick explained. “It’s not a short-term issue; we’re talking weeks rather than days, though hopefully not too long.”

Middlesbrough faces a challenging run of fixtures, including games against league leaders Sheffield United, Watford, and Bristol City, with Doak’s availability for those matches uncertain. Fortunately for Boro, Liverpool resisted January offers from Crystal Palace and Ipswich Town for the winger, opting to let him continue his development under Carrick for the remainder of the season.

Without Doak, Middlesbrough suffered a frustrating defeat to Sunderland, having initially taken the lead before conceding late, including an own goal. Carrick admitted the result was difficult to accept.

“It’s a tough way to lose, especially in such an important game,” he said. “We started strongly and looked like we could add to our lead, but the match slipped away in the second half. The goals we conceded—a deflection and an own-goal—were harsh, and the dressing room is bitterly dis

appointed.”