Ben Doak Scores in Thrilling Draw as Liverpool Loanees Shine Across the Championship
Ben Doak marked Boxing Day with a goal, but it was all in vain as his side, Middlesbrough, were held to a 3-3 draw in a dramatic encounter. The match saw an ex-Liverpool defender’s brother sent off, further complicating Boro’s bid to secure all three points.
On loan at Middlesbrough, Doak has been in excellent form this season, quickly becoming a regular in Michael Carrick’s starting lineup. The 19-year-old winger has been a constant threat on the right flank, although he’s sometimes struggled to turn his performances into goals.
However, he managed to find the back of the net early on Boxing Day, heading in a cross to put Middlesbrough 1-0 up against Sheffield Wednesday after just five minutes.
By the half-hour mark, Middlesbrough were 3-0 ahead, thanks to a brace from Finn Azaz. But Sheffield Wednesday mounted a comeback in the second half, pulling it back to 3-2 within 10 minutes.
The match took a further twist when Rav van den Berg, brother of former Liverpool defender Sepp, was sent off after a cynical foul, earning a second yellow card and leaving Middlesbrough down to 10 men.
Doak was substituted shortly afterward as Carrick looked to protect the lead. But, despite their numerical advantage, Sheffield Wednesday found the equalizer, with the game ending 3-3.
“Lost two points today,” Doak wrote on Instagram after the match. “Glad to get on the scoresheet.”
Meanwhile, several other Liverpool loanees had notable performances in the Championship.
- Ben Doak (Middlesbrough) – 60 minutes vs. Sheffield Wednesday, goal
- Lewis Koumas (Stoke) – 90 minutes vs. Leeds
- Owen Beck (Blackburn) – 90 minutes vs. Sunderland
- Nat Phillips (Derby) – 90 minutes vs. West Brom
- Rhys Williams (Morecambe) – 90 minutes vs. Carlisle
- Luca Stephenson (Dundee United) – 8 minutes vs. St Johnstone
Nat Phillips played a full 90 minutes for Derby, helping them secure a rare 2-1 win over West Brom. It was only Derby’s seventh win of the season and Phillips’ second start.
Owen Beck also completed 90 minutes for Blackburn in a dramatic 2-2 draw with Sunderland. Lewis Koumas played the full game for Stoke, though they fell 2-0 to Leeds.
Rhys Williams made his 14th consecutive start as Morecambe edged past Carlisle 1-0, while Luca Stephenson came off the bench for Dundee United in their 2-1 win over St Johnstone.
Kaide Gordon and Calvin Ramsay were once again left out of their teams, with talks over their loan situations ongoing as both players are yet to feature for Norwich and Wigan, respectively.
