As ever, it has been a mixed bag for Liverpool players sent away from the club this season.
The Reds obviously do their best to source the right team for any youngster to play for on-loan, but it is not always so straightforward.
Done properly, loans can provide the perfect development for a player before he joins the first-team Liverpool squad.
However, if things go badly, it can often signal that a young prospect has little or no future at Anfield.
This season, things have generally been going well. Rhys Williams is excelling at Morecambe after some disappointing spells in recent years, while Ben Doak has been shining for Middlesbrough.
Another one making his mark is Owen Beck, who has broken into the starting XI at Blackburn Rovers. And according to journalist Graeme Bailey, the future could still be bright for Beck at Liverpool.
Blackburn Rovers' Owen Beck (right) competing with Watford's Mattie Pollock during the Sky Bet Championship match between Watford FC and Blackburn ...
Photo by Andrew Kearns – CameraSport via Getty Images
Owen Beck doing well at Blackburn
Beck has been in and around the first-team at Liverpool since the 2021/22 season.
Since then, the left-back kicked on during an impressive loan at Dundee in Scotland last season. This time, a Championship spell looked just the ticket for the 22-year-old.
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Liverpool could do with a new left full-back and there have already been claims that Arne Slot will give Beck a chance if he continues doing well at Blackburn.
And speaking to Rousing The Kop, Bailey says that things are looking positive for Beck so far.
READ MORE: Liverpool expected to send ‘special’ player out on-loan in January after summer plans scuppered
“I think it’s a very big season for him, he’s done pretty well at Blackburn,” he claims. “I don’t think it’s beyond the realms of fantasy that he could get a chance at Liverpool.
“I’m not sure we thought Conor Bradley would be straight into the first-team after his progress at Bolton, so I think there’s an avenue there and an example for him to follow. You can’t rule it out and he’s done better than a lot of people thought he would. He’s doing really well.”
Time for Owen Beck to step up?
At 22, next summer is certainly a crucial one for Beck. With Liverpool seemingly looking for at least one new left-back, there is a pathway open there.
In some ways, it’s a shame that Beck did not stick around at Anfield this term. With Kostas Tsimikas injured, James Norris looks set for a surprise chance in the first-team.
Appearances Goals Assists
Liverpool 2021/22 2 0 0
Bolton 2022/23 9 0 0
Dundee/Liverpool 2023/24 28/1 2/0 4/0
Blackburn 2024/25 11 0 0
Norris was on the bench against Girona on Tuesday and is now the most natural replacement for Andy Robertson currently in the squad. Beck would have been a better option.
Still, having made 11 appearances for Rovers, the Welshman is getting valuable experience and looks all the better for it.
Pep Lijnders claimed in the past that Beck and Bradley used to come as a duo in the Liverpool academy, and Owen should be looking at Conor’s example for how he can still have a career at his boyhood club.
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