Massive HINT £30m Liverpool deal is edging closer

Liverpool is a club known for its prolific number of talented academy prospects.

In yesterday's 4-0 win over Accrington Stanley in the FA Cup, Arne Slot brought sweeping changes into the team, giving plenty of young players their opportunity to showcase their talents on the pitch at Anfield.

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Rio Ngumoha made his first senior appearance, becoming the youngest player to feature in the competition for Liverpool at just 16 years old, Tyler Morton held the midfield together playing a defensive role and James McConnell, Trey Nyoni and Jayden Danns - who scored Liverpool's third goal - all made an impact off the bench.

As such, it was made abundantly clear that Slot is perfectly willing to give opportunities to young players as the Reds continue their hunt across all competitions to secure silverware this season.

However, one young player at the club, who has been making his mark on loan this campaign, was snubbed in the FA Cup this week, sparking further speculation about his future.

Ben Doak left out of Middlesbrough FA Cup squad

19-year-old Ben Doak is a Scottish winger who has set the Championship alight this season during his stay at Middlesbrough.

His electric dribbling has improved dramatically over the last few months, and while Liverpool might hope to use his services next season when he is recalled from loan, several clubs have announced their intention to sign him on a permanent deal.

Both Crystal Palace and Ipswich Town have made it clear in recent weeks that Ben Doak is a player they admire.

And now in a new report from Alan Nixon, Bournemouth are set to have entered the race, meaning the young forward will have no shortage of offers to consider as he begins to map out the start of his senior career.

Yesterday, Middlesbrough lost to Blackburn in the FA Cup, and Boro manager Michael Carrick had purposefully left Doak out of the squad, which may have subsequently hindered his team's performance.

And the decision could have been taken for a number of reasons. Doak's participation would have meant he was cup-tied, creating an added layer of complexity to a future move, and if a permanent transfer away from Liverpool is on the cards, then his fitness would be paramount to any agreement.

Liverpool's valuation of the youngster is £30m, and so the Reds are set to gain from this situation, regardless of what happens - either they receive him back from his loan at the end of the season, or a substantial transfer fee comes in for him.

But it seems increasingly likely that Doak will remain at Middlesbrough for the remainder of the campaign, as he has made quite an impression on his new manager.

Speaking via Yahoo Sports, Carrick said: "He just gets on with his work as he has from day one. It suits him here. It's a good place to be, he's enjoying his football, he's learning, developing, having a great experience. I've got nothing but positive things to say about Ben.

"There's no denying some of it is out of our hands but I'm really calm and content. Hopefully, it plays out and we're all happy and we still have Ben. We're in a good place and it's a good place for him."

Whatever the decision on Doak's future ends up being, it is certain that the Scotsman will have a bright career. However, the speculation about where he will be playing his football is not set to come to an end any time soon.

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