Harvey Elliott and Stefan Bajcetic lead praise for Liverpool forward as he claims major milestone

Liverpool forward Ben Doak is spending the season out on loan at Championship side Middlesbrough

Harvey Elliott and Stefan Bajcetic were among those to praise Liverpool loanee Ben Doak after he scored his first professional goal in Middlesbrough's win over Stoke City on Saturday. The 18-year-old forward moved to the Riverside on a season-long loan last month.

Doak had been sidelined for much of 2024 and, as a result, missed Scotland's European Championships campaign in Germany after suffering a meniscus injury while training with Liverpool last December.

On Saturday, however, the forward was able to continue his development in the Championship as he scored the opening goal in Middlesbrough's 2-0 win over the Potters as he was on hand to convert from inside the area after Viktor Johansson fumbled a strike from distance.

Writing on Instagram after the game, Doak, who moved to Anfield from Celtic in a deal worth £600,000, said: "First start in the league. Not a better feeling to top it off with a goal and MOTM. Support was top as per."

And despite spending the season away from Anfield, the Scotland international was inundated with messages of support from his Liverpool team-mates: "Congratulations bro," wrote Elliott, while Stefan Bajcetic - who is also spending the season loan away from Merseyside - commented, "Nice you".

Doak's academy team-mates Jayden Danns, Isaac Mabaya, Lee Jonas and Rhys Williams also weighed in with messages of support after Doak marked his third outing for Boro in style.

Since arriving from Glasgow in 2022, Doak has made European and Premier League appearances for the Reds and earlier this month earned recognition on the international stage as he made his debut for Scotland.