Liverpool has been grappling with several significant injuries this season, with Alisson Becker, Jeremie Frimpong, and Giovanni Leoni among the most prominent recent casualties.
The Reds have experienced patchy form in recent weeks and will be hoping to regain momentum following the international break, with some returning players potentially providing a much-needed boost.
Those fitness concerns aren't confined to the first-team squad, though, as several players currently gaining experience away from Anfield are facing their own setbacks. One particularly worrying case involves Owen Beck, a product of Liverpool's academy who has spent multiple campaigns developing his game on loan.
The left-back moved to Championship outfit Derby County during the summer on a season-long arrangement, linking up once again with manager John Eustace, under whom he previously played at Blackburn.
An initial injury problem kept him sidelined, though there were encouraging signs when he turned out for the Rams' development squad last week.
Unfortunately, after sustaining a hamstring problem just 40 minutes into his comeback appearance, Beck was forced off, and the severity of that setback now appears more serious than initially anticipated.
Beck has picked up an injury while out on loan
Beck has picked up an injury while out on loan (Image: Getty Images)
Eustace confirmed the troubling news when addressing journalists before the weekend, stating: "Unfortunately, Owen has had to have surgery on his hamstring, so he's going to be out for the next three or four months.
"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.
"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."
Beck's loan arrangement is set to be cut short in January, with a return to Anfield already confirmed while he recuperates from his most recent injury setback. The 23-year-old failed to make a single appearance for Derby during his time at the club, though he has featured three times for the Liverpool first team to date.
It represents a disappointment for the left-back, who had been viewed as a thrilling acquisition for Eustace during the summer. The Derby manager said at the time: "He's a really exciting young player and I was very fortunate to work with him last year.
"I think everyone could see the growth he made playing in the Championship, and he's a super young talented player and he's one of the most exciting full-backs in the country for his age at the moment.
"He's just a very good young player. There is a lot to improve, and if he comes to Derby and chooses to come to us, our job is to help develop him."
Beck committed his future to Liverpool by penning a fresh long-term contract in July 2025, securing his position before departing on loan to Derby. This provides him with breathing space to recover from this latest blow, free from the worry of searching for a new club or exploring alternative options.