Ben Doak made clear that he believes Middlesbrough is the best place for him right now as he sent a clear message to Liverpool bosses ahead of the January transfer window.
Doak is on loan at Boro until the end of the season and is enjoying an excellent campaign so far, having established himself as a star in the Championship. Transforming Boro's attack, he's been a key component behind much improved form that has seen Michael Carrick's side fire themselves into the top six.
Boro beat plenty of competition to land Doak in the summer and the Scotland international has previously spoken about how much he is loving his time at the Riverside. However, with Doak continuing to impress to enhance his reputation, Liverpool's decision in January looms - with the Reds holding a recall clause that can be activated at any point during the winter window.
Asked by Sky Sports if Boro was the best place for him to be right now though, Doak said: “Yeah, without a doubt. I think we play some of the best football in the league and I think a lot of that comes down the right hand side. I think it suits me really well and I’ve got a great group of lads around me - a lot of talented footballers."
Boro remain hopeful that Liverpool continue to see value in the regular football that they are giving the 19-year-old, and the growth he's enjoying under the coaching of Carrick and co. on Teesside. With Liverpool top of the Premier League and Arne Slot blessed with forward options, the only risk for Boro is that they see potential value in recalling him to find a loan move to a lower-end Premier League side for the second half of the season.
But given the risk there in an increasingly demanding league, where such a move would rip up all the positive integration and guarantees that Doak's start at Boro have gained him, there remains belief that Doak will remain at Boro for the remainder of the campaign to continue his goal of helping the club back to the Premier League.
If he were to stay, it would be a huge boost to Boro's promotion chances, with Doak playing so well and causing problems for just about every Championship defence he comes up against. It's no coincidence that Boro's season really kickstarted once the loan star got up to speed and worked his way into Carrick's starting line up.
But asked about his performances, it was suggested it looks like he's on the playground, with Doak retorting: “I don’t really see it as trying to make it a playground, I think it’s just what I’ve been good at since I was young. I just play to my strengths and hopefully I play well while doing that."