Liverpool left-back Owen Beck is set to return to the club after surgery on a serious hamstring injury, with his loan spell at Derby cut short without playing once.
Beck, 23, signed a new contract with Liverpool before joining Derby on a season-long loan in July, but failed to make a single appearance.
That comes after persistent fitness issues and, having been forced off 40 minutes into his comeback appearance for Derby U21s, now surgery.
Derby head coach John Eustace confirmed on Thursday that Beck required the operation to repair his hamstring and, facing a four-month layoff, will be sent back to Liverpool.
Derby boss Eustace confirms Beck loan terminated
PITTSBURGH - Friday, July 26, 2024: Liverpool's Owen Beck during a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool and Real Betis Balompié at the Acrisure Stadium on day three of the club's pre-season tour of the USA. Liverpool won 1-0. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
“Unfortunately, Owen has had to have surgery on his hamstring, so he’s going to be out for the next three or four months,” he told reporters including the Derby Telegraph‘s Leigh Curtis.
“I feel really sorry for Becky, and obviously, I had worked with him at Blackburn.
“Bringing him to the football club was a real success from the recruitment side, especially to bring a player of that quality here and to be able to showcase him.
PITTSBURGH - Friday, July 26, 2024: Liverpool's Kaide Gordon (L) and Owen Beck arrive before a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool and Real Betis Balompié at the Acrisure Stadium on day three of the club's pre-season tour of the USA. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
“Over the course of the season I think everyone was excited about that, but unfortunately he’s had a really difficult time.
“We all feel sorry for the boy, but it’s all part of his learning and his development.
“He’ll come back stronger, but it’s not going to be with us.”
What injury blow means for Owen Beck at Liverpool
PITTSBURGH - Friday, July 26, 2024: Liverpool's Owen Beck during a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool and Real Betis Balompié at the Acrisure Stadium on day three of the club's pre-season tour of the USA. Liverpool won 1-0. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
For Beck it is a massive blow as he looked to establish himself in the Championship following strong seasons on loan with Dundee United and Blackburn.
Now he will be left to focus on his recovery at the AXA before targeting a string of appearances for Liverpool’s U21s in the final months of the season.
Realistically, having turned 23 in August, his long-term future will not be part of Arne Slot‘s first team.
Beck’s is the latest in a long line of setbacks to Liverpool’s youth and loan ranks, with two other highly rated left-backs already sidelined with serious injuries.
While Luke Chambers is nearing a return from a back problem which has cost him the last eight months and saw a spell with Wigan end early, Calum Scanlon remains sidelined with a hamstring injury which curtailed his loan at Millwall in January.
Isaac Mabaya is also back at the AXA Training Centre having damaged his Achilles early into the campaign with Wigan and both Stefan Bajcetic and Jayden Danns are still out.