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Owen Beck in action for Blackburn Rovers last season
Owen Beck in action for Blackburn Rovers last season(Image: Dave Howarth - CameraSport via Getty Images)
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Derby County have officially confirmed that Owen Beck has returned to Liverpool with his season-long loan at the club now over.
The left-back picked up a hamstring injury in pre-season and needed to undergo surgery just as he was verging on making his return to action.
Beck did not make one senior appearance for Derby in what has been a frustrating spell for the talented youngster who had worked under head coach John Eustace at Blackburn last season.
The 23-year-old will continue his rehab at Anfield where he is highly thought of having been handed a new contract in the summer of 2025.
Speaking earlier about Beck's injury in November, Eustace said: "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 said.
"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 return to Liverpool means that Derby have freed up one loan spot in the squad. It is the second that has become available after Dion Sanderson's loan move from Birmingham City was made permanent.
Derby are permitted five loans in a matchday squad and John Eustace said he would consider delving into the loan market, but did not want to sign players for the sake of it.
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